Mowrer - theory that explains the two processes that lead to the development of phobias - they begin through classical conditioning and are maintained through operant conditioning.
initiation: classical conditioning
phobia is acquired through association.
Little Albert - NS paired with UCS to make UCR, NS now elicits fear response, CR.
maintenance: operant conditioning
the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated is increased if the outcome is rewarding. the avoidance of the the phobic stimulus reduces fear and is thus reinforcing. (negative reinforcement)
social learning
neo-behaviourist explanation
phobias may be acquired through modelling the behaviour of others.
e.g. seeing a parent respond to a spider with extreme fear may lead a child to acquire a similar behaviour because the behaviour appears rewarding. i.e fearful person gets attention.
