The Behavioural approach + PHOBIAS

The Two-Process Model

Proposed by Mowrer (1947). Suggests that phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning.

Classical Conditioning + phobias

The Two-process model suggests that phobias develop when an individual associates a neutral stimulus with a traumatic incident. CC is learning by association.

Watson + Rayner’s research (1920)

This aimed to demonstrate how a phobia can be acquired through classical conditioning. Used the participant of Little Albert (a baby aged 9 months in phase 1 of laboratory experiment and 11 months in phase 2).

Procedure - Watson + Rayner’s research (1920)

. At 9 months they tested Albert’s reaction to a range of stimulus. He had a neutral reaction to fluffy things, rats, rabbits and dogs. He had an UCR to the UCS of a steel bar being struck by a hammer.

. At 11 months in the laboratory Little Albert was offered a a white rat and every time he reached out to touch it a steel bar was struck by a hammer (which caused the UCR of fear). This process was repeated 7 times over 2 weeks.

Results - Watson + Rayner’s research (1920)

After 7 rounds of conditioning Little Albert showed fear reactions to rats as well as any fluffy and/or white objects (cotton,rabbits,santa claus mask) (this is called stimulus generalisation). He would cry and try to avoid the stimulus. Watson + Rayner has found that phobias can be successfully acquired by classical conditioning (+ also be generalised)

Watson + Rayner’s research 1920 - Break down

UCS = noise of a steel bar being struck by a hammer

UCR/CR = fear (avoidance + crying)

NS/CS = Rat/White fluffy object/animal

Operant Conditioning + Phobias

Operant conditioning suggests that if a behaviour is reinforced it is more likely to be repeated. Therefore, those who suffer with phobias are repeatedly undergoing negative reinforcement when they complete the behaviour of avoiding their feared stimulus and therefore avoid fear (something unpleasant), and are consequently more likely to repeat the behaviour. This means the sufferer will fail to face their fear, so their phobia will be maintained.

Con - Behaviourism + phobias - No Specific Event

Not everyone with a phobia can recall a specific traumatic event that triggered it, some people develop them through modelling. Social Learning Theory suggests phobias can be learned through observation and imitation of role models. This is persuasive as Sue et al (1994)’s research shows that most arachnophobics cited modelling as the cause of their phobia, not a traumatic event. Therefor, the two process model cannot explain the acquisition of all phobias, so it is weak.

Sue et al (1994) - Phobia cause research

Research showed that most arachnophobics cited modelling as the cause of their phobia whereas most agoraphobics cited a specific traumatic event as the cause of their phobia.

Pro - Behaviourism + phobias - Successful Treatments

The two process model has influenced successful treatments of phobias. The explanation of phobias being maintained through the avoidance behaviour and negative reinforcement cycle explains why individuals must be exposed to their phobias to overcome them. Therefore, the behaviourist approach’s explanation of phobias has useful real world applications, so it is significant.

Con - Behaviourism + phobias - Not developing phobias

Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event with a neutral stimulus develops a phobia of it. The Diathesis-stress model explains how some people are born with a genetic vulnerability to developing a phobia, however this phobia will only manifest if a traumatic event is experienced. Therefore, the two process model is vague and weak as it is not always true and does not explain acquisition of phobias in the same depth as the diathesis-stress model.

The Diathesis stress model

A model that suggests some individuals have a genetic vulnerability to developing a phobias and therefore this phobia will manifest if the individual experiences a traumatic event involving the object/animal etc.. For example, someone may have a genetic vulnerability to developing a phobia of dogs so if they are in a traumatic event with one they will develop a phobia where others without genetic vulnerability would not develop a phobia.

Systematic Desensitisation

Has three processes for a person to overcome a feared stimulus: the desensitisation hierarchy, relaxation, exposure. The feared stimulus is gradually introduced in levels of increasing difficulty. Treatment usually occurs over many weeks.

The Desensitisation Hierarchy - SD

Patient (assisted by a therapist) constructs a series of situations related to a feared stimulus arranged in order of least frightening to most frightening. eg) Photo of spider, spider in a locked room, in same room as spider, holding spider

Relaxation

When a patient is taught relaxation techniques to help cope with/overcome a fear when faced with a feared stimulus. These are taught before the patient is exposed to their feared stimulus (in any capacity). Examples include: box breathing, belly breathing, positive self talk.

Exposure - SD

When a patient gradually works through the desensitisation hierarchy with support of therapist + relaxation techniques. Once a patient has mastered a stage they move onto the next. Eventually the patient will be able to move through the entire hierarchy without fear and will be desensitised (TREATMENT COMPLETE!!!).

Systematic Desensitisation - Pro - Effective

Gilroy et al. (2003)’s research demonstrated that individuals with arachnophobia who received 3 45-minute sessions of SD were less fearful of spiders than arachnophobes who were only taught relaxation techniques without exposure both 3 and 33 months after treatment. Therefore, SD is effective as its effects are long-lasting.

Systematic Desensitisation - Con - underlying evolutionary survival component

Ohman et al (1975)’s research found that SD was not as effective when treating phobias with an underlying evolutionary survival component (such as fear of snakes) compared to phobias acquired through traumatic incidents. Therefore, SD is not an entirely effective treatment for all phobias.

Flooding

Behaviourist treatment of phobias. No gradual build up through a desensitisation hierarchy; the patient is immediately exposed to their most feared situation. Consists of two processes: Relaxation and Exposure

Exposure - Flooding

Relaxation techniques are used whilst a patient is exposed to their most feared situation for a long period of time (usually 2-3 hours) until the patient feels relaxed (TREATMENT COMPLETE!!!).

Flooding - Pros - Effective

Research has reported that flooding is both more effective and quicker than systematic desensitisation and cognitive treatments for phobias. Therefore, it is a useful, effective and valuable treatment

Flooding - Cons - Traumatic

Even though patients are aware and give consent for this treatment many patients fail to complete the treatment, due to it being highly stressful, which reduces the treatment’s effectiveness. Moreover, money and time is wasted when a patient refuses or withdraws from treatment. Therefore, this treatment is weak as it can exacerbate phobias and be ineffective.