AO1: Behavioural explanation for phobias

• What is the name of the behavioural explanation, what does it do?

  The two-process model is the behavioural explanation which explains the onset and persistence of phobias and anxiety disorders
• What are the two processes + what do they each do?

  The first process is classical conditioning which explains the onset of the phobia and the second is operant conditioning which explains the persistence of the phobia
• How does classical conditioning explain phobias.

  An association forms between a neutral stimulus (which causes no fear response) and something which already produces a fear response (an unconditioned stimulus which produces an unconditioned response of fear). Through continuous pairing of the ns + ucs, the ns becomes a conditioned stimulus + produces a conditioned response of fear.
• How does operant conditioning help a phobia persist?

  Operant conditioning refers to learning via reinforcement. A phobia can be negatively reinforced through avoidance behaviours. This is as by avoiding the individual's phobic stimulus, they are able to avoid feeling the emotional responses caused by being in it's presence (such as extreme panic, anxiety or fear), this is results in a pleasurable experience as they have avoided a negative experience - reinforcing it.