PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - the behavioural approach to explaining phobias

the behaviourist approach

They believe that phobias are developed through learning the approach focuses on the behaviour

The two process mode

classical conditioning - used to learn the phobia

operant conditioning - used to maintain the phobia

Who were the researchers for the little Albert experimen?

Watson and rayner

evaluate the little Albert experiment

• 9 month infant has a small white mouse placed infront of him

• No reaction didn’t mind it’s presence

• Researchers removed the mouse and made loud bangs with iron bars behined Albert’s ears causing him to become scared and cry

• They now put the mouse and did the loud bangs Bith at once every time they mouse approached him

• Now they placed the mouse by itself and Albert still cried

• This shows how Albert had nkw developed a phobia of anything small white and fury as he has now associated it with fear.

evaluation of little Albert

1. We do not know if the phobia has remained because the child had died a few years after this research

2. Shows how phobias can be developed through learning

Strengths of the two process model

1. Provides evidence for bad experiences being linked to phobias (little Albert)

2. Real world application

Limitations of the two process model

1. Not all phobias are developed through bad experiences for example most snake phobias occur in populations that experience snakes let alone traumatic experiences

2. Does not provide and adequate explanation for the cognitive characteristics as the individuals thought process is vital to understanding a phobia such as their irrational beliefs abkut the stimulus

mowrer’s explanation for operant conditioning

He says thay operant conditioning maintains the phobia through negative reinforcement and avoidance. As the individual avoids the phobic stimulus they receive the positive result , and therefore the individual will repeat this behaviour and the phobia will persist