BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO EXPLAINING PHOBIAS

• The two-process model: 

  • Classical and operant conditioning =

  MOWRER (1960) argued that Phobias are acquired (learnt) first through classical conditioning (a traumatic experience). The conditioned stimulus (CS) is often generalised to other similar objects/situations. E.g. phobias of spiders, generalised to other insects or creepy crawlies. Phobias are then maintained due to operant conditioning (avoidance behaviour - negative reinforcement). I.e two-process are involved. 
• Acquisition by classical conditioning

  Classical conditioning involves association,

  1. UCS triggers a fear response (fear is a UCR), e.g being bitten creates anxiety. 
  2. NS is associated with the UCS, e.g being bitten by a god (the dog previously did nit create anxiety).
  3. NS becomes CS producing fear (which is now the CR). the dog becomes a CS causing a CR of anxiety / fear following the bite. 
• Little Albert: conditioned fear 


  WATSON AND RAYNER (1920) showed how a fear of rats could be conditioned in ‘little albert’. 

  1. Whenever albert played with a white rat, a loud noise was made close to his ear. The noise (UCS) caused a fear response (UCR). 
  2. Rat (NS) did not create fear until the bang and the rat had been paired together several of times. 
  3. Albert showed a fear response (CR) every time he came into contact with the rat (CS). 
• Generalisation of fear to other stimulus

  For example, little albert also showed a fear in response to other white furry objects including a fur coat and a santa claus beard. 
• Maintenance by operant conditioning (negative reinforcement) 


  Operant conditioning takes place when our behaviour is reinforced or punished. 

  Negative reinforcement - an individual produces behaviour that avoids something unpleasant.

  When a person with a phobia avoids a phobic stimulus they escape the anxiety that would have been experienced.

  This reduction in fear negatively reinforced the avoidance behaviour and the phobia is maintained.
• Example of negative reinforcement 


  If someone has a morbid fear of clowns (coulrophobia) they will avoid circuses and other situations where they may encounter clowns. 

  The relief felt from avoiding clowns negatively reinforces the phobia and ensures it is maintained rather than confronted.