explaining phobias

• behavioural approach

  a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
• two-process model researcher

  Mowrer 1960

  proposed the two-process model based on the behavioural approach to phobias
• what the two process model states

  phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then continued through operant conditioning
• classical conditioning

  learning by association

  two stimuli are repeatedly paired together

  neutral stimulus eventually produces the same response that was first produced by the unconditioned stimulus alone
• operant conditioning

  behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences

  possible consequences of behaviour include positive/ negative reinforcement or punishment
• Watson and Rayner and classical conditioning procedure

  1920

  created a phobia in a 9-month old baby called 'Little Albert'

  Albert showed no anxiety at the start

  whenever a rat was present the researchers made a loud, frightening noise
• little Albert and classical conditioning

  noise= unconditioned stimulus

  fear of noise= unconditioned response

  rat= neutral stimulus

  NS becomes associated with the UCS and now both produce fear response

  the rat is now conditioned stimulus

  rat produces a conditioned response
• results of little Albert study

  the conditioned response of the rat is generalised to similar objects

  little Albert was now scared of other white fluffy objects
• operant conditioning and phobias

  an individual tends to avoid the negative consequences of coming into contact with situation

  such behaviour (avoidance) results in a desirable consequence

  behaviour is more likely to be repeated
• Mowrer and operant conditioning

  whenever we avoid a phobic stimulus we successfully escape the fear and anxiety that we would have experienced if we had remained there

  reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour

  phobia is maintained
• strengths of two process model

  real world application

  phobias and traumatic experiences
• real world application

  real world application in exposure therapy

  once avoidance is prevented the phobia is no longer reinforced

  avoidance therefore decreases

  two process model can treat phobias
• phobias and traumatic experiences

  two prices model is evidence for a link between abdominal experiences and phobias

  De Jongh et al research supports this
• De John et al (2006)

  73% of people with dental fears had a traumatic experience at a dentist

  compared to control group of people with low dental anxiety

  only 21% experienced a traumatic event

  confirms association between stimuli (dentist) and an unconditioned response (pain) leads to phobias
• limitations of two-process model

  cognitive aspects of phobias

  counterpoint of traumatic events and phobias
• cognitive aspects of phobias

  two process model does not account for cognitive aspects of phobias

  geared towards behavioural aspects

  does not offer an explanation for phobic cognitions e.g. irrational beliefs about phobic stimulus
• counterpoint of phobias and traumatic events

  not all phobias appear following a bad experience

  not all frightening experiences lead to phobias

  link of phobias and traumatic events is not as strong as suggested