Mowrer (1960) - phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then continue because of operant conditioning
Acquisition by classical conditioning
Involves learning to associate of initially have no fear in with something that triggers a fear response.
Little Albert - rat became a conditioned stimulus which produces a conditioned response through continues association with loud noise.
Maintenace by operant conditioning.
Responses required by classical conditioning usually tend to decline over time.
Long lasting phobas is the result of operant conditioning. (Mowrer).
Takes place when behaviour is rewarded or punished.
Reward - increase frequency of behaviour. Negative reinforcement - is an individual avoids a situation that is unpleasive.
Reducation in fear reinforces avoidance behaviour (desirable consequence) = phobia maintained.
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The Two Process model - Evaluation
Good explanatory power
It explains how phobias could be maintained over time and this has important implications for therapies because it explains why patients need to be exposed to the feared stimulus.
Once patient is prevented from practising avoidance = reinforcement declines.
Incomplete explanation of phobias
Bounton (2007) - evolutionary factors probably have an important role in phobias but the two-factor does not mention this.
Example: we easily acquire phobias of things that have been a source of danger in our evolutionary past.
Problem - it shows there is more to acquiring phobias than simple conditioning.
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Treating Phobias
Systematic Desensitisation
Behavioural therapy to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through principle of classical conditioning.
The anxiety hierarchy - a list of situation related to phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety arrange in order from least to most frightening.
Relaxation - therapist teaches the patient to relax deeply as possible.
Exposure - patient is exposed to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxation state (moving up the hierarchy)
Flooding
A phobic patient is exposed to an extreme form of a phobic stimulus in order to reduce anxiety triggered by that stimulus.
Flooding stops phobic responses very quickly - patient quicky learns that the phobic stimulus is harmless.
Patient may achieve relaxation - have become exhausted by their own fear response.
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Treating Phobias - Evaluation
It is acceptible to patients (Systematic Desensitisation)
Those given the choice of either SD or Flooding prefers SD - it doesnt cause the same degree of trauma as flooding.
SD Includes some elements - relaxation procedures which are pleasant.
It is effective
Gilroy et al - 42 patients treated for spider phobas in 3 45mins sessions of SD and other group treated through just relaxation.
After treatment - SD group were less fearful than the relaxation group.
Flooding is traumatic to patients
It is unethical but that pateitns are often willing to see it through the end.
Time and money are sometimes wasted preparing patientns only to have them refuce to start or complete treatment.
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