AO1

• The two process model suggests the behaviourist theory; that phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and is maintained through classical conditioning.
• Phobias are acquired through association of a phobic stimulus and a feeling, fear or anxiety. This is through classical conditioning.
• Phobias are maintained by avoiding the stimulus that produces a negative outcome, fear or anxiety. This is operant conditoning.
• Real life application of acquisition and maintenance of a phobia is Bagby, who reported a woman who got her feet stuck in a waterfall and since developed a fear of running water.
• The behaviourist theory was founded by Watson in 1915 and later added to by Pavlov, classical conditioning, and Skinner, operant conditioning. It suggests that behaviour is learned through conditioning and that behaviour is the result of a response to a stimulus.
• Operant conditioning involves learning from consequences of actions. Positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of repeating the action as it provides positive feedback. Negative reinforcement decreases the likelihood of repeating the action as it removes something unpleasant.
• The three behavioural characteristics of a phobia is panic, avoidance and endurance.
• The three cognitive characteristics of phobias is selective attention to the phobic stimulus, irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions.
• The three emotional characteristics of phobias are fear, anxiety and an unreasonable emotional response.
• Acquisition of Phobias: Little Albert

  Watson and Rayner conducted an experiment into the acquisition of phobias through operant conditioning. A 9 month baby, Albert, had no anxiety at the start of the experiment and when shown a bunny he tried to play with it. Whenever the bunny was present, Watson would made loud banging noises, an unconditioned stimulus which produced an unconditioned response (fear).