Behavioural explanation of phobia:

• STRENGTH

  • real-world application in exposure therapies ie systematic desensitisation
  • The two-process model states the idea that phobias are maintained by avoidance of the phobic stimulus
  • Important in explaining why people with phobias benefit from being exposed to the phobic stimulus
  • Once the avoidance behaviour is prevented it ceases to be reinforced by the experience of anxiety reduction causing avoidence declines
  • In behavioural terms the phobia is the avoidance behaviour so when this avoidance is prevented the phobia is cured

  Shows the value as it identifies a means of treating phobias
• X

  • doesn't account for cognitive aspects of phobias
  • Behavioural explanations including the two process model are geared towards explaining behaviour
  • In phobias the key behaviour is avoidance of the phobic stimulus
  • BUT we know that phobias are not simply avoidance responses - they have a significant cognitive component
  • IE people hold irrational beliefs about the phobic stimulus IE thinking its dangerous
  • Two-process model explains avoidance behaviour but doesn't offer an adequate explanation for phobic cognitions

  Means two-process model doesn't completely explain the symptoms of phobias
• STRENGTH:

  • is evidence for a link of experiences and phobias
  • Little Albert study shows how a frightening experience involving a stimulus can lead to a phobia of that stimulus
  • More evidence by Ad De Jongh et al 2006 found that 73% of people who fear of dental treatment had experienced a traumatic experience
  • Compared to a control group of people with low dental anxiety where only 21% had experienced a traumatic event

  Confirms that the association between stimulus and an unconditioned response leads to the development of the phobia