The behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Mowrer (1947). Stage 1, classical conditioning: initiation. Phobia acquired through association. Original UCS loud noise, UCR fear, NS furry objecy. Pairing loud noise w/ furry obect, Little Albert eventually became scared of furry objects w/o loud noise, fear became CR, furry object CS.

Second stage, operant conditioning: maintenance. Likelihood of behaviour being repeared increased if outcome rewarding. In case of phobia, avoidance of phobic stimulus reduces fear, therefore reinfocing. Example of negative reinforcement as escaping from unpleasant situation. Individual avoids anxiety creating by eg dog if phobia of dogs by avoiding entirely.

Not part of two process model but is neo-behaviourist explanation - fear seems reduced. 

Phobias may be acquired through modelling eg seeing parent afraid of spider may lead to similar response from child as behaviour seems rewarding - fearful person gets attention.

Importance of CC - people w/ phobias often recall specific incident where phobia appeared. However, not everyone who has phobia can recall this - possible traumatic incidents happened but been forgotten. Sue et al (1994) suggests diff phobias may be result of diff processes - most likely to cite modelling as cause.

Support for social learning - Bandura + Rosenthal (1966) - model acted as if in pain every time buzzer sounded. Later, those who observed this showed emotional reaction to buzzer, 'fear' response.

Diathesis-stress model - according to two-process model, association b/ween NS + fearful experience -> phobia. Research found not everyone bitten by dog develops phobia (Di Nardo et al) - could be explained by diathesis-stress model. Proposes inherit genetic vulnerability for developing mental disorders, but will only manifest itself if triggered by real life event (envrionmental).

Biological preparedness - Seligman (1970) - animals genetically programmed to learn association b/ween life-threatening stimuli + fear. Stimuli - ancient fears - dangerous in evolutionary past, adaptive to learn to avoid. Explains why less likley to develop fear of modern objects eg toasters.

Ignores cognitive factors - cognitive approach proposes phobias may develop as consequence of irrational thinking -> extreme anxiety -> phobia. Leads to CBT, may be more successful than behaviourist treatments.