Two Process model

• The behaviourist approach emphasises the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour
• The behaviourist approach in explaining phobias focuses on the behavioural characteristics of phobias, e.g. avoidance, endurance and panic
• Hobart Mowrer (1960) introduced the two process model based on the behaviourist approach to explaining phobias

  The model states:

  • phobias are acquired through classical conditioning
  • phobias are maintained by operant conditioning
• classical conditioning states that we learn to associate something that we do not fear with something that triggers a fear
• After an association has formed, the conditioned stimulus causes a response of fear and consequently, we develop a phobia
• Watson and Rayner (1920) created a phobia in a 9 month old baby called Little Albert
• Little Albert (1920):

  • no signs of anxiety when shown a rat at first
  • showed a rat at the same time as a loud, frightening noise (iron bar)
  • noise= unconditioned stimulus, produces an unconditioned response
  • neutral stimulus becomes associated with UCS, both produce fear response
  • the rat becomes a conditioned stimulus and produces fear
  • conditioning becomes generalised to similar objects: fluffy objects, non-white rabbits, santa's beard
• phobias are long lasting, Mowrer said this is because they are maintained through operant conditioning
• operant conditioning occurs when the behaviours are either reinforced or punished
• reinforcement increases the frequency of a behaviour
• avoidance behaviours are strengthened through negative reinforcement
• Mowrer proposed that whenever we avoid a phobic stimulus, we escape the fear and anxiety that we would have suffered if we remained there- this is negative reinforcement
• LIMITATIONS

  • evolutionary purposes- some fears (snakes and heights) are innate in order to avoid danger, Seligman (1971)
  • phobias don't always follow trauma- SLT suggests children can develop phobias as a result of seeing parent's phobias
  • cognitive aspects- does not explain irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions
• STRENGTH

  • real world application- flooding helps treat phobias