Explaining phobias

Question 1

Which approach explains phobias?

Answer 1

Behavioural

Question 2

What is the two-process model?

Answer 2

The way in which phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then maintained by operant conditioning

Question 3

Who came up with the two-process model? What year?

Answer 3

Mowrer

1947

Question 4

How does operant conditioning maintain a phobia?

Answer 4

The individual will perform avoidance behaviour and this acts as a negative reinforcer as the unpleasant consequence is removed, meaning the phobia doesn’t decay over time

Question 5

What are strengths of the approach?

Answer 5

• Behaviourist approach has strong research evidence - Watson and Raynor support classical conditioning with Little Albert by instilling a phobia in him.
• Application to therapy and treatment
• Good explanatory power

Question 6

What are weaknesses of the approach?

Answer 6

• Reductionistic and over simplistic
• Doesn’t take into account cognitive aspects
• Other explanations for avoidance behaviour such as anxiety.
• Some people have fears even after they haven’t had a bad experience

Question 7

What did Bounton (2007) say about the approach?

Answer 7

Evolutionary factors probably play a large role in phobias but this isn’t addressed in the model. For example, in the past people will have developed phobias to snakes as they would have been a source of danger.