The Behaviourist Explanation of Phobias

The Two-Process Model

Mowrer proposed this model which suggests that phobias are first acqurie through classical conditioning and then maintained throguh operant conditioning.

Classical Conditioning: how phobias are 

• Classical Conditioning refers to learning by association.
• Phobias are acquired by associating a neural stimulus with a fear response.

Case Study of Little Albery (Watson and Raynor)

• Before Conditioning: UCS (white rat) --> UCR (happy)
• Watson & Raynor foudn that Albert showed a natural fear response to loud noises (UCS)
• During Conditioning: UCS (white rat) + NS (loud bang) --> UCR (cry)  [repeat a few times]
• After Conditioning: CS (white rat) --> CR (cry)
• This caused him to cry at everything white and fluffy e.g. santas beard, cotton wool (Stimulus Generalisation)
• Once a phobia has been acquired, it is maintained by operant conditioning.

Operant Conditioning: how phobias are maintained

• Operant conditioning states that if behaviours are reinforced they are likely to be repeated.
• In this case phobias, the phobic repsonse is unpleasant and escaping from the object or situation causes a reduction in fear. This is an example of negative reinforcement. 

Evaluations

Strengths

• Application to therapy. Behaviourist ideas have been used to develop treatments including SD and flooding. Systematic Desensitisation…