Phobias - Behavioural (Treatment and explanation)

What is the Behavioural explanation to Phobias

The two Process model

What are the Two steps of the 2PM

1. Classical conditioning - initiation

2. Operant conditioning - maintenance

Classical conditioning

The hobia ia aquired through association

eg Little Hans —> NS - White Rat —> CS….UCS - Noise

Dog Bite: Bite (UCS) creates fear (UCR). Dog (NS) is associated with the dog bite (UCS) . Dog (Now CS) produces fear (Now CR)

Operant Conditioning

The likelihood of a behaviour being repeated is increased if the outcome is rewarding.

Avoidance = Reduction in fear and thus rewarding = Negative reinforcement

What other Theory talks about Phobias

Neo-behaviourists use SLT as an explanation, stating that Phobias may be acquired through modelling

Support of the 2PM

Research support - Shows importance of CC

Sue et al - People with phobias often recall a specific incident when their phobias appeared

(C.P) Ots - Not everyone who has a phobia can recall an event, some have forgotten.

This shows that different phobias may be the result of different processes

Weakness of the 2PM - Biological Preparedness

• Seligman

• Humans are genetically programmed —> potentially life threatening, stimuli and fear (known as ancient fears)

• These were dangerous in our evolutionary past —> Less likely to occur for modern objects

• As a result, Behaviourist approach cannot all phobias

Weakness of 2PM - Cognitive factors can’t be explained using behaviourists framework

• Doesn’t consider consequences of irrational thinking

• Alternative explanations can be used to create effective treatments —> CBT

• Engels et al

What are the Behaviourist treatments for phobias

Systematic Desensitisation

Flooding

Systematic Desensitisation

• Joseph Wolpe

• Counter conditioning - Taught a new association through CC. Relaxation instead of fear (Desensitisation) This reduces anxiety

• Relaxation - Deep breathing, Mindful of ‘here and now’. Progressive muscle relaxation

• Desensitation Hierarchy - One Step at a time and less overwhelming. Least to most

• In Vivo (real life)

Steps of SD

1. Patient taught to relax

2. Therapist and patient create a hierarchy together as the relationship is reciprocal

3. Gradually work way through, engaging in relaxation

4. Patient has to master one step to be able to move on (Remain relaxed)

5. Full Mastery

Strength of SD - Research support

• Macgrath et al

• Found that SD has a 75% success rate

• In contact was more successful than just using pictures

• Number of exposure techniques are used

• Shows value of using a range and shows success

Weakness of SD - Not always appropriate

• Ohman et al - Suggests SD may not be appropriate for phobias that have an underlying evolutionary survival component

What is Flooding

• Patients are immersed in the experience in one long session which continues until anxiety has disappeared

• As adrenaline levels naturally decrease, the feared stimulus is now associated with a non-anxious response

• In Vivo (Real life)

Steps of Flooding

1. Learn to totally relax

2. Master fear

Strength of Flooding - Effective when stuck with

Choy - SD and flooding wer sucessful, but Flooding was more effective

(C.P) Craske - SD and Flooding were equal

Shows that Flooding is effective

Weakness for Flooding - Not for everyone

• Highly traumatic = people might quit = limits effectiveness

• Individual differences

Strength of everything - Faster, cheaper and takes less effort

CBT requires willingness and the patient to think deeply about their mental problems (not behaviour therapy’s)

C.P - Difficult for mental disablilites

Weakness of everything - Symptom Substitution

If symptoms are removed, cause still remains

Freud —> Little Hans developed a phobias of horses which was a result of envy for father, this was not cured until this was addressed