Behavioural explanations for phobias

Behavioural explanations for phobias

1. Mowrer (1947)

   • two process model
   • first process
     • classical conditioning
     • Neutral stimulus (NS) & Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) = unconditioned response (fear) (UCR)
     • NS becomes conditioned stimulus (CS) = Conditioned response (fear) (CR) whenever presented
     • how phobia is acquired
   • second process
     • operant conditioning
     • how phobia is maintained
     • fear is lowered by avoiding stimulus then avoidance behaviour acts as negative reinforcement
     • if person afraid of dogs because bitten by one, reduction of fear by avoiding dogs would lead them to continue avoiding them reinforcing fear

2. Watson & Raynor (1920)

   • Little albert
   • NS (white rat) + UCS (loud noise) = UCR of fear
   • occurs 4 times
   • produced CR of fear when white rat presented without noise

3. Evaluation

   • research support for two process model
     • Sue et al some people can recall specific event leading to phobia development
     • e.g. sue et al found that agoraphobics are most likely to explain phobia in terms of a specific event
     • shows classical conditioning can be involved in developing phobias
   • Two process model doesn't explain development of all phobias
     • Some cannot remember incident occurring that let to their phobia developing
     • suggests different phobias may be the result of different processes
     • However, Ost saysit is possible that such traumatic events did actually happen but phobic has forgotten them (denial as a defense mechanism)
   • Two process = phobia doesn't always develop after traumatic event
     • e.g. DiNardo et al not everyone who is bitten by a dog develops a phobia of dogs
     • The diathesis-stress model says we inherit genetic vulnerability for developing mental disorders, but disorder will only develop when triggered by a life event
     • suggests dog bite will only lead to phobia in people with vulnerability
   • Phobias have cognitive aspects not explained by behaviourist framework
     • e.g. person who thinks they might die if trapped in a lift might become extremely anxious & this may trigger phobia about lifts
     • shows irrational thinking is also involved in development of phobias
     • this is why cognitive therapies can be more successful in treating phobias than behavioural treatments
   • Biological preparedness better explanation than two process model
     • Seligman says animals are genetically prepared to learn associations between fear and stimuli that were a threat in our evolutionary past e.g. snakes
     • e.g. fear is easier to condition to some things (e.g. spiders) than others (e.g. toasters), even though toasters are more dangerous than spiders
       • although may not explain non-specific phobias like agoraphobia or fear of enclosed spaces
     • means behavioural explanation alone cannot explain development of phobias