Psychopathology- behavioural explanations for phobias

Upon which psychological principles are behavioural explanations of phobias based?

Classical and operant conditioning.

What is the difference between classical and operant conditioning?

Classical = learning by association whereas operant = learning through consequences.

Which theory explains how phobias are acquired?

Classical conditioning

Explain how classical conditioning leads to the development of a phobia.

There is a pairing of an unconditional stimulus (UCS) that caused fear (UCR) with an initially neutral stimulus (NS) causes the neutral stimulus to be feared by the person (conditioning). The neutral stimulus then becomes the object of the phobia.

Who proposed the two-process theory?

Mowrer

What is the two process theory?

A theory which argues that phobias are first acquired through classical conditioning but are then maintained through operant conditioning.

How is operant conditioning involved in phobias?

It maintains the learned fear by avoiding coming into contact with the phobic stimulus (which is rewarding for the individual as their anxiety is reduced)

What type of reinforcement is involved in operant conditioning with phobias?

Negative reinforcement.

What is this process also known as?

Avoidance conditioning

What evidence is there to suggest that phobias can be learned through classical conditioning?

Little Albert (Watson and Rayner’s study)

What type of validity do behavioural explanations of phobias have?

High face validity

What is meant by face validity in the context of behavioural explanation of phobias?

It is highly plausible that a past traumatic experience will leave a long-lasting negative effect upon the individual which may be severe enough in order to create a phobia.

In Barlow and Durand’s study what percentage of people with a specific fear of driving could remember a traumatic experience whilst driving?

50%

What did Heckman, Clark and McManus find?

96% of social phobics remembered some socially traumatic experience that had happened to them (often in adolescence). 

What type of determinism do behavioural explanations of phobias suffer from?

Environmental determinism

How could DiNardo’s study be used to criticise behavioural explanations of phobias?

Whilst approximately 50% could relate their phobia of dogs to a terrifying incident involving a dog, 50% were also unable to do so. In addition, 50% of the control group reported having experienced a traumatic encounter with a dog yet did not develop such a phobia.

What did Ost find and what conclusion could we reach from this?

Some people develop phobias of specific items to which they have had no previous encounter e.g. snakes, heights and aeroplanes which could indicate more of a biological explanation.

What ethical issue has emerged with research into phobias?

Protection of participants

What is a final limitation of classical conditioning in relation to phobias?

It’s harder to condition some objects than others.