The behavioural approach to explaining phobias

The two process model

The behaviourist approach emphasises the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour. The approach focuses on behaviour. Mowrer (1960) Proposed the two process model based on the behavioural approaches the phobias. This states that phobias are acquired (Learned in the first place) By classical conditioning and then continue because of operant conditioning

Acquisition by classical conditioning

• classical conditioning involves learning to associate something of which we initially have no fear (Neutral stimulus) With something that Already triggers are fear response (unconditioned stimulus)

• Watson And Rayner(1920) Created a phobia in a nine month old baby called ‘little Albert’. Albert should no unusual anxiety at the start of the study

• Whenever a rat was presented to Albert, The research has made it loud, frightening noise by banging an iron bar To his ear

• This was repeated until Albert started to display fear towards the rat

• Conditioning generalised similar objects, They tested Albert by showing him as a fairy objects such as a non-white rabbit, fur coat and a Santa Claus bear. They found that Albert displayed distressed after these

Maintenance by operant conditioning

• Mowrer explain that Fabius long lasting due to operant conditioning - operant Conditioning takes place when behaviour is reinforced or punished - Reinforcement increases frequency of behaviour

• During negative reinforcement an individual avoids situation that will have an unpleasant outcome meaning this will be repeated

• Mowrer Suggested that if we avoid a phobic stimulus, we successfully escape the fit and anxiety that we would have experience if we had remained there - The phobia is maintained

Evaluation

• One strength is its real world application in exposure therapies - The distinctive element of the two process model is the idea of phobia are maintained by avoidance of the Phobic stimulus. This is important in explaining why people with phobia benefit from being exposed to the phobic stimulus. Once the Avoidance behaviour is present it ceases to be reinforced and avoidance therefore decline

• One strength is the evidence for a link between bad experiences and phobias - The Albert study illustrates how frightening experience Involving a stimulus Can Lead to a phobia of that stimulus. Ad De Jongh (2006) Found that 73% of people with a fear of dental treatment had experienced the traumatic experience in the past

• Limitation is that it does not for the cognitive aspects of phobias - In the case of phobia the key behaviour is avoidance of the phobic stimulus , however we know that phobias are not simply avoidance responses, They also have a significant cognitive component. The two-process model explains avoidance behaviour does not offer an adequate explanation for phobic cognitions