Evaluation - two process model

• Evaluation 1:

  +Good explanatory power: the two process model went beyond Watson and Rayners Classical conditioning. It explains how phobias could be maintained through Operant conditioning and why patients need to be exposed to phobic stimuli.

  -Phobias that don't follow trauma: phobias mainly following a bad experience and can see why they got the phobia. However, some develop phobias and have had no bad experiences with the phobic stimuli.
• Evaluation 2:

  -Alternative explanation: behavioural approach suggests we are products of our own environment. It ignores the fact that we have conscious thoughts and behaviours.

  -Incomplete explanation of phobias: evolutionary factors probably have an important role in phobias but two process model doesn't suggest it.