Behavioural approach

• What is the two process model to explaining phobias?

  Hobart Mowrer (1960)

  1. Phobias are first acquired by classical conditioning
  2. Phobias are then maintained by operant conditioning
• How are phobias acquired by classical conditioning?

  A neutral stimulus (something we initially have no fear of, e.g. a white rat) is associated with an unconditioned stimulus (something that triggers a fear response, e.g. a loud noise)
• How are phobias maintained by operant conditioning?

  Through negative reinforcement

  Whenever we avoid a phobic stimulus, we successfully escape fear and anxiety we would have felt if we had remained there. This reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour, and so the phobia is maintained.
• What are the strengths of the two process model?

  DeJongh (2006) natural experiment

  73% of people with dental phobias experienced childhood dental trauma compared to 21% of controls. This suggests that phobias are learned through classical conditioning, meaning it has good explanatory power.
• What are the limitations of the two process model?

  -alternative explanations: agoraphobia -> not leaving the house -> feelings of safety and comfort -> positive reinforcement

  -reductionist: ignores biological preparedness and the idea that phobias are evolutionary

  -incomplete explanation: how many pairings are required to develop a phobia?