behaviorist apprach to explaining phobias

What is the two process model in a nutshell?

Two stages to how phobias develop:

1. Acquisition of phobias by classical conditioning

2. Maintenance of phobias by operant conditioning

Two process models first stage in more detail?

Phobia acquired through association between neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus. Unconditioned response becomes conditioned response to neutral stimulus

Second stage of two process model?

Likelihood of behaviour increases if outcome is rewarding (negative reinforcement) I.e. no fear from avoiding phobic stimulus

What is the importance of classical conditioning to phobias developing?

Patients often recall a specific incident where the phobia appeared

Diathesis stress model?

Proposes we inherit a genetic vulnerability for developing disorders because the phobia only manifests due to a triggered event.

Evaluation points 🙂x3, 🙁x1

🙂

• real world application

• Phobias and traumatic experiences link

• Research support

🙁

• cognitive aspects

🙂real world application

Exposure therapies have real world application as the distinctive event of the two process models first is the idea that phobias are maintained by avoidance of the phobic stimulus.

This explains why people with phobias benefit from exposure therapies as once the avoidant behaviour is prevented it spceasss to be reinforced and declines.

Therefore, the two process model is valuable as it identifies a means of treating phobias, with its benefits extending beyond academia.

🙂phobias and traumatic experiences link

Little Albert study illustrates how a frightening experience can lead to a phobia of that stimulus.

This confirms that the association between stimulus and an unconditioned response does lead to development of the phobia.

Therefore, this provides evidence for a link between bad experiences and phobias, increasing the validity of the explanation.

🙂research support

Jongh et al (2006) found that 73% of people with the fear of dental treatment had experienced traumatic experiences, mostly involving dentistry. This can be compared to the control group of those with low dental anxiety where only 21% experienced a traumatic event.

This means there is empirical evidence supporting the two process model.

Therefore, as psychology is a science and science requires empirical evidence, this is desirable.

🙁cognitive aspects

The two process models first stage doesn’t account for the cognitive aspects of phobias as it is more geared towards explaining behaviour. We know that phobias aren’t simply avoidance responses but they also have a significant cognitive component as people hold irrational beliefs about the phobic stimulus.

This means it doesn’t provide an adequate explanation for phobic cognitions.

Therefore, this reduces the credibility of the explanation.