Explanations for phobias: Behavioural approach

two-process model

acquisition by classical conditioning (phobias are learned), maintenance by operant conditioning (phobias are maintained)

acquisition by classical conditioning

associating a stimulus, that we initially have no fear of, with a stimulus that triggers a fear response

case study of little albert

-little albert was presented with a neutral object (a fluffy white rat) that provoked a neutral response. (no signs of fear or distress when playing)
-experimenters made a loud noise close to albert's ear every time the rat was presented
-albert learned to associate the rat with a loud clanging sound that scared him. eventually he showed the conditioned fear response when he saw the previously neutral rat.
-the fear response generalised to other stimuli presented with the rat, e.g. a fur coat, santa claus beard and a non-white rabbit

process of classical conditioning in little albert

unconditioned stimulus - loud noise. unconditioned response - fear
neutral stimulus - fluffy white rat. neutral response - no response (playful)
unconditioned stimulus - loud noise + fluffy white rat (neutral stimulus). unconditioned response - fear
conditioned stimulus - fluffy white rat. conditioned response - fear

maintenance by operant conditioning

negative reinforcement - avoiding the phobic stimulus means we avoid the unpleasant experience of fear and distress that may have accompanied it. the reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour, so the phobia is maintained

strength of the two process model - real world application

helps treating phobias through exposure therapies. understanding that maintenance is through avoidance has led to exposure therapy which stops reinforcing phobias

research support of the two process model (acquisition through CC) - de jongh et al

73% of people with dental phobia had past trauma, while for the control group (people who didn't have dental phobia) only 21% of them had past trauma

limitation of two process model - fails to recognise cognitive aspects (lacking explanatory power)

phobias also have a cognitive component - irrational beliefs. the two process model doesn't explain all symptoms, only the behaviour of avoidance.

limitation of two process model - phobias aren't always caused by traumatic experiences

not all traumatic experiences lead to a phobia e.g. almost getting hit by a car, very few people have phobias of cars. also not all phobias are caused by traumatic experiences. e.g. snake phobias often occur in populations where very few people have encountered snakes