two process model - Mourner 1947
explains how phobias are learned through 2 steps:
- association created between stimulus and fear response (CC)
- the phobias is maintained through reinforcement (OC)
little Albert generalisation
Albert developed phobias of objects with similar characteristics as the white rat e.g beard, dog, etc
operant conditioning
- States phobias are maintained through reinforcement
- avoidance and panic are increased as a result of being reinforced
negative reinforcement
avoiding the feared stimulus removes anxiety/fear therefore increasing the likeliness of avoidance
positive reinforcement
feared response can bring positive consequences e.g. care and attention from others so these positive consequences increase the likelihood of panic
behavioural explanation strengths
- research evidence to support e.g Watson and Rayner creating a fear in little albert
- practical applications e.g. systematic desensitisation
systematic desensitisation
based on the idea that phobias are learnt via CC so can be unlearn by changing the CR to a learned response of relaxation
stages of SD
- anxiety hierarchy, relaxation, and exposure (in vitro: imaging and in vivo)
reciprocal inhibition
we cannot feel fear and relaxation at the same time as they’re opposite biological processes
SD in operant conditioning
- receiving pride and praise each time a step is successfully completed (positive reinforcement)
- each step removes more anxiety (negatively reinforced)
SD limitations
- symptom substitution e.g fear becomes represented by something else
- cognitive factors may be more important than relaxation e.g. psychotherapies
- not appropriate to treat all phobias e.g. can’t treat evolutionary phobias as they aren’t learnt
how is flooding used to treat phobias
- immediate full exposure
- prevention of avoidance
- until they’re calm/anxiety has reduced
