AO1 - Behavioural Explanation of Phobias

• INTRO TO ESSAY: The behavioural approach suggests that phobias are a learnt behaviour
• Phobias can be acquired through classical conditioning (learn via stimulus, response and association) then maintained through operant conditioning - this is known as the two-process model
• An example is Little Albert, who at the beginning of the experiment had no fear of rats (neutral stimulus)
• When Albert was shown the rat, the researcher made a loud bang (unconditioned stimulus), resulting in an unconditioned response of fear
• As the feared response (unconditioned response) was paired with the loud bang, Little Albert learnt to associate the two together, causing the rat to be the conditioned stimulus leading to the conditioned response of fear
• Little Albert then generalised his fear to other similar objects, e.g. fur coat
• Phobias are maintained through operant conditioning because by continuing to avoid a feared stimulus, the individual is being negatively reinforced by reducing the anxiety they feel - explaining why phobias are long lasting through continued avoidance