Phobias are acquired (learned in the first place) by classical conditioning and then continue (maintained) because of operant conditioning
Behavioural approach
Emphasizes the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour
Focuses on behaviour - what we can see
Geared towards explaining the avoidance, endurance and panic aspects of phobias
Acquisition by Classical Conditioning
1. Learning to associate something of which we initially have no fear (neutral stimulus) with something that already triggers a fear response (unconditional stimulus)
2. For example, the traumatic experience of being bitten by a dog (neutral stimulus) could create a phobia of dogs
Classical conditioning experiment
Watson & Rayner (1920) created a phobia in a 9-month-old baby called 'Little Albert'
Albert showed no unusual anxiety at the start of the study
When shown a white rat he tried to play with it
Experimenters then made a loud, frightening noise by banging an iron bar close to Albert's ear whenever the rat was presented
Eventually Albert became frightened when he saw a rat even without the noise
Conditioned stimulus (CS)
The rat that produced a conditioned response (CR) of fear in Little Albert
Stimulus generalization
Little Albert displayed distress at the sight of other furry objects such as a non-white rabbit, a fur coat and Watson wearing a Santa Claus beard made out of cotton balls
Maintenance by Operant Conditioning
1. Responses acquired by classical conditioning usually tend to decline over time, but phobias are often long lasting
2. Operant conditioning takes place when our behaviour is reinforced (rewarded) or punished
3. Negative reinforcement - an individual avoids a situation that is unpleasant, e.g. someone with a fear of the dentist will avoid going to the dentist
4. Such a behaviour (avoiding the dentist) results in a desirable consequence, which means the behaviour will be repeated
