AO1 Explanations Behaviourism + Phobias

• Who proposed the two way process model based on the behavioural approach to phobias?


  Mowrer
• What is the behavioural approach?


  A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
• What is classical conditioning?


  Learning through association
• How does classical conditioning apply to development of phobias?

  Learning to associate something of which we initially have no fear (neutral stimulus) with something that already triggers a fear response (unconditioned stimulus)
• Phobias are acquired through classical conditioning
• How are phobias maintained?

  Operant conditioning, specifically negative reinforcement. An individual avoids a situation that is unpleasant. Such behaviour results in a desirable consequence. This means that the behaviour is more likely to be repeated
• Describe how a phobia of dogs could be formed

  Before conditioning:

  Pain (unconditional stimulus) -> Anxiety (Unconditioned Response)

  During Conditioning:

  Dog (Neutral Stimulus) + Pain (Unconditional stimulus)-> Anxiety (Unconditioned response)

  After conditioning

  Dog (Conditioned stimulus) -> Anxiety (Conditioned response)
• What is negative reinforcement?


  When a certain behaviour is displayed to avoid an unpleasant consequence. The outcome is a positive experience
• What does the two way process model suggest?

  Phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and maintained by operant conditioning