Explanation of phobia

• Two process model - behavioural approach to explaining phobias


  Mowrer - phobias can be learned through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning

  classical conditioning - learning through association

  operant conditioning - phobias are negatively reinforced
• Watson and Rayner

  little Albert

  aim - investigate whether a fear response can be learned through CC in humans

  method:

  • 11 moth old - little Albert
  • originally showed no response to various objects such as a white rat
  • to see if they could induce fear they struck a metal bar with a hammer behind his head causing a loud startling noise every time he reached for the rat

  result:

  • whenever he was showed the rat he cried

  conclusion:

  • fear response can be induced through classical conditioning. little Albert also developed fears to similar objects including a white beard
• AO3 of behavioural approach to phobias

  + research support - Watson and Rayner - little Albert

  + application to therapy - systematic desensitisation and flooding

  -ignores role of cognition - phobias may be a result of irrational thinking rather than just learning

  -doesn't provide a complete explanation - Bounton - evolutionary factors could play a role in phobias and the avoidance of particular stimulus that could of caused pain to our ancestors