The Behavioural Approach

What is the two process model?

Based on the behavioural approach. States that phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and continue due to operant conditioning

What are the two processes of the model?

Acquisition by classical conditioning and maintenance by operant conditioning

What is classical conditioning?

Learning through association

In what study is the principles of classical conditioning and acquisition of phobias shown in?

Watson and Rayner 1920

What did Watson and Rayner do?

Create a phobia in a 9 month old baby, Little Albert

What was the procedure of the study?

A white rat was shown to Albert and he tried to play with it. Whenever the rat was presented, the researchers made a loud noise by banging an iron bar close to Albert’s ear

What was the unconditioned stimulus?

The noise

What was the unconditioned response?

Fear

What was the neutral stimulus?

The white rat

What happened when the neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus are paired?

Albert displayed a response of fear and the rat is a conditioned stimulus. This produces a conditioned response

What similar objects did Albert fear due to the conditioning?

Furry objects like a fur coat, non white rabbit and Watson wearing a Santa beard made out of cotton balls

What is operant conditioning?

Reinforcement of behaviour, learning through consequences. Tends to increase the frequency of behaviour

What did Mowrer suggest about maintenance by operant conditioning?

When a phobic stimulus is avoided, fear and anxiety are successfully avoided

Negative reinforcement of phobias

Avoidance of the phobic stimulus reduces fear. Avoiding the unpleasant situation

What is the phobia maintained?

The reduction in fear reinforces avoidance so the phobic stimulus is never confronted