Behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Behavioural approach

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

Classical conditioning

Learning by association when 2 stimuli are repeatedly paired together.

UCS is paired with NS.

NS eventually produces the same response as UCS so it becomes CS.

Operant conditioning

Learning where behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences.

Possible consequences are reinforcement (positive and negative) and punishment.

2-process model

An explanation for the onset and persistence of MH conditions that create anxiety, like phobias.

The 2 processes are classical and operant conditioning

Acquisition by classical conditioning

Watson and Rayner 1920

Associating a NS with an UCS which causes a fear response.

Created a phobia in 9 month old “Little Albert”. Albert had no unusual anxiety at the start. When shown a white rat he tried to play with it. If he tried to play with it the researchers made a loud bang from an iron bar (UCS) close to his ear to create fear (UCR).

When the rat (NS) and the UCS happened close in time, Albert associates the rat with the loud bang and the rat becomes a CS to create a CR of fear.

This generalised to similar objects e.g. like a non-white rabbit, fur coat.

Maintenance by operant conditioning

Phobias acquired by classical conditioning decline over time. They are maintained as a result of operant conditioning.

Operant conditioning happens when behaviour is reinforced or punished. Reinforcement increases the frequency of a behaviour. This is true for both positive and negative reinforcement.

For NR, an individual avoids a situation that is unpleasant. This results in a desirable consequence, so the behaviour will be repeated.

Mowrer suggested we escape potential fear and anxiety when we avoid phobic stimuli. Reduction in fear reinforces avoidance behaviour and maintains the phobia.

Social Learning Theory

A neo-behaviourist explanation. It states that phobias are acquired through vicarious reinforcement.

Behaviour is rewarding as they gain attention from other people when they are scared. Involves observing the behaviour of other people who model a fear response and then deciding to imitate the behaviour

S Effectiveness of treatments that developed from it

Systematic desensitisation and flooding are successful in helping to overcome conditioned phobias after traumatic experiences.

Help to reduce fear by replacing fear response with a new association.

Suggests that there are practical applications of behaviourist theories.

W Not all learnt by association

Phobias can be acquired through traumatic experiences or observing others.

A study showed that participants were fearful of a buzzer because they saw someone getting shocked when they pressed it.

Sometimes the phobia is acquired through observation, modelling and SLT.

Explanation is limited and incomplete.

W Seligmen

More than classical and operant conditioning

Argued we are genetically programmed to fear life-threatening stimuli as it would have been adaptive to rapidly learn to avoid such stimuli.

Biological preparedness could explain why phobias develop to some stimuli but not others.

Behaviourism alone cannot explain phobia development

S Link between bad experiences and phobias

Jongh

Little Albert study shows how a frightening experience leads to a phobia of a stimulus.

Found that 73% with a fear of dental treatment experienced a traumatic event, compared to a control group of people with low dental anxiety where 21% experienced a traumatic event.

Suggests that the association between NS and UCR leads to the development of a phobia