Explaining phobias

• Behaviourist approach: A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
• Two-process model: An explanation for the onset and persistence of disorders that create anxiety
• Classical conditioning: Learning by association
• Operant conditioning: A form of learning where behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences
• Who proposed the two-process model?

  Mowrer
• What did Mowrer propose?

  The two-process model
• What does the two-process model state?

  Phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and continue because of operant conditioning
• Classical conditioning involves learning to associate something which we have no fear of with something that already triggers a fear response
• Who performed the 'Little Albert' study?

  Watson and Rayner
• Little Albert showed no unusual anxiety at the start of the study
• How did Watson and Rayner give Little Albert a phobia of white rats?

  Every time the rat was presented to him, a loud and frightening noise was made next to his ear - therefore Albert associated the white rat with the fear of the loud noise
• What was the unconditioned stimulus in the Little Albert study?

  Loud noise
• Label the correct stimuli and responses

  A) NS

  B) UCS

  C) UCS + NS

  D) CS

  E) UCR

  F) UCR

  G) CR

  
• What was the loud noise in the Little Albert study?

  An unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
• What was the fear initially in the Little Albert study?

  An unconditioned response (UCR)
• What did the fear become in the Little Albert study?

  A conditioned response (CR)
• What was the conditioned response in the Little Albert study?

  Fear
• What was the unconditioned response in the Little Albert study?

  Fear
• What was the white rat initially in the Little Albert study?

  A neutral stimulus (NS)
• What was the neutral stimulus in the Little Albert study?

  White rat
• What was the conditioned stimulus in the Little Albert study?

  White rat
• What did the white rat become in the Little Albert study?

  Conditioned stimulus
• Responses acquired by classical conditioning usually tend to decline over time
• Why did Mowrer suggest phobias are often long-lasting?

  Because of operant conditioning
• Operant conditioning takes place when our behaviour is reinforced - reinforcement tends to increase the frequency of behaviour
• In negative reinforcement, an individual avoids a situation that is unpleasant, leading to a desirable consequence
• Mowrer suggested that when we avoid a phobic stimulus, we escape the fear and anxiety of it - which this reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour and the phobia is maintained