Phobias - Explaining and Treating

• Two-Process Model


  1. Introduced by Mowrer

  2. Phobias acquired through classical conditioning

  3. Phobias maintained through operant conditioning
• Acquisition


  Phobias begin through classical conditioning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a negative experience, transforming it into a conditioned stimulus that triggers fear
• Maintenance


  Once a phobia is established, operant conditioning maintains it. Avoidance behaviors reduce anxiety, reinforcing the phobia through negative reinforcement
• Systematic Desensitization


  1. Gradual exposure to fears in controlled, stepwise manner

  2. Start with least fear-inducing situations

  3. Move to more frightening scenarios

  4. Teach relaxation techniques to counteract anxiety
• Flooding

  1. Immediate and intense exposure to phobic stimulus

  2. Until fear response diminishes
• Flooding


  Based on idea that fear responses are time-limited and exhaustion of fear response leads to decrease in phobic anxiety
• Systematic desensitisation

  A behavioral therapy used to gradually reduce a person's fear or anxiety towards a particular object or situation
• Supporting Research


  • Watson and Rayner's "Little Albert" experiment - demonstrated that phobias could be conditioned in humans
• Evaluating Behaviorist Treatments

  • Both treatments can be effective, particularly for specific (non-social) phobias
• Systematic desensitisation Evaluation

  Generally more acceptable to patients due to its gradual approach and perceived control
• Flooding Evaluation

  Can be quicker but is also more traumatic and potentially less suitable for certain populations