behavioural approach- explaining phobias

two process model

phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then maintained through operant conditioning

classical conditioning

neutral stimulus associated with fear then becomes a phobic object

little albert

9 month old baby who was classically conditioned to fear furry objects

operant conditioning

negative reinforcement is when an individual avoids a situation, which reduces fear and reinforces avoidant behaviour, which maintains the phobia

evaluation strength- real world application

knowledge of the two process model allows for exposure therapies to be useful

evaluation weakness- cognitive aspects of phobias

behavioural explanations ignore cognitive aspects of phobias, so cannot fully explain the symptoms of phobias

evaluation strength- phobias and traumatic experiences

research on little albert confirms the association between stimulus and an unconditioned response does lead to the development of the phobia

evaluation weakness- individual differences

not all phobias follow bad experiences (eg fear of snakes is a common phobia in populations where few people have any experiences of snakes), so behavioural aspects may be an incomplete explanation