Explaining phobias

• > The behavioural approach suggests that phobias are a learned behaviour

  > Mowrer argues that phobias are initially learnt through classical conditioning then maintained through operant conditioning

  > This is called the two process model
• Classical conditioning

  > involves learning to associate something of which we initially have no fear of (a neutral stimulus) with something that already triggers a fear response (unconditioned stimulus). This fear response is triggered every time they see or think about the feared object

  > Watson and Raynor - Little Albert
• Operant conditioning

  > Maintainence

  > Continued avoidance of phobic stimulus negatively reinforces by avoiding the anxiety they feel

  > Long lasting through continued avoidance
• Behavioural approach to explaining phobias AO3

  :( Criticised for environmental reductionism

  > reduces complex human behaviour of phobias down to the simple basic units of learning through stimulus, response and associations and maintaining a phobia through reinforcements

  > this neglects a holistic approach - doesnt take into account an individuals social and cultural context

  > Therefore lacking validity, doesnt allow us to understand behaviour in context
• Behavioural approach to explaining phobias AO3

  :) Practical applications

  > As phobias are learnt they can therefore be unlearnt

  > Created systematic desensitisation - teaching patient relaxation techniques and gradually exposing them to their phobic stimulus, learning to associate stimulus with relaxation rather then fear

  > Important in applied psychology as it is used to treat people in the real world
• Behaviourist explanation to treating phobias AO3

  :) RTS Ad De Jongh et al

  > 73% of people with a fear of dental treatment had a traumatic experience

  > Compared to a control group with low dental anxiety where only 21% had experienced a traumatic event

  > Supports phobias developing through associations, stimulus and responses