Behavioural explanations and treatments of phobias

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  • The behavioural explanation of phobias
    • The two-process model
      • Acquiring a phobia - classical conditioning
        • Association of something which triggers a fear to something neutral
      • Maintaining a phobia - operant conditioning
        • Uses negative reinforcement
          • Avoidance of phobic stimulus means that there is a reduction of fear, benefitting the person as they are not scared
    • Behavioural treatments of phobias
      • Systematic desensitisation
        • 1. An anxiety hierarchy is created of the phobia (e.g easy ways to overcome at bottom, hardest thing at top)
          • 2. Relaxation techniques are taught to the individual such as breathing exercises or, meditation.
            • 3. Exposure to phobic stimuli occurs based on anxiety hierarchy. The patient is relaxed while they do this.
      • Flooding
        • Exposing a patient to their phobic stimuli quickly and withou any relaxation.
    • The Little Albert study
      • Watson and Rayner created a phobia of a white rat in Little Albert who was a 9 month old. They paired a rat (NS) with a loud noise which scared Albert (UCS) to create a fear. Over time the rat became the CS and he was afraid.
      • Little Albert’s fear also applied further than just white rats. He was afraid of other furry objects e.g a rabbit that was not white, a furry coat and Santa Claus’ beard
    • Evaluating the behavioural explanation of phobias
      • Weaknesses
        • Suggestion that avoidance is not solely motivated by anxiety reduction
        • Incomplete explanation as there are definitely more factors such as evolution which may play a part in an individual developing a fear
        • Does not explain phobias that develop without a trauma
        • Does not understand the cognitive aspects of phobias.
      • Strengths
        • Has been proven to explain (Little Albert study)
    • Evaluating behavioural treatments of phobias
      • Strengths
        • SD: effective at curing phobias
        • F: cost effective as patient only needs one to two sessions
        • SD: suitable for most/all phobias and clients
        • SD:  ethical and acceptable
      • Weaknesses
        • F: not effective for all phobia types
        • F: unethical

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