Outline and evaluate the behavioural approach to explaining phobias.
The behavioural approach emphasises the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour.
Based on this, Mowrer (1960) proposed the two-process model which states that phobias
are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning.
Classical conditioning involves associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned
stimulus. Evidence for this can be seen in Watson and Rayner’s (1920) Little Albert Study in
which they successfully created a phobia in a baby. Albert showed no phobia to the rat
(neutral stimulus) when presented with it however when it was repeatedly paired with a loud
noise (unconditioned stimulus) he displayed fear as the rat became a conditioned stimulus;
he learnt to associate them together. This was then generalised to similar objects e.g. other
small animals. Therefore classical conditioning can explain how phobias are acquired.
Long lasting phobias are often the result of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning takes
place when behaviour is reinforced or punished. Mowrer suggested that whenever we avoid
a phobic stimulus we successfully escape the fear that it would have caused. This reduction
in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour and so the phobia is maintained.
This approach is strong as it has real world application in exposure therapy. It explains why
people with phobias benefit from being exposed to the phobic stimulus. Once the avoidance
behaviour is prevented it ceases to be reinforced by the experience of anxiety reduction and
avoidance therefore declines. In behavioural terms, the avoidance is the phobia so when this
is prevented the phobia is cured. This shows the value of the two process model as it
identifies a means of treating phobias.
Furthermore, there is also evidence of the link between bad experiences and phobias. A
study by Ad De Jongh (2006) found that 73% of people with a fear of dental treatment had
experienced traumatic experiences mostly related to dentistry. This was compared to a
control group of people with low dental anxiety where only 21% had experienced a traumatic
event. This confirms that the association between a stimulus (dentistry) and an
unconditioned response (pain) does lead to the development of a phobia.
However, not all phobias appear following a bad experience. Some common phobias e.g.
snake phobias occur in populations where few people have had experiences with snakes let
alone traumatic ones. Additionally, not all frightening experiences lead to phobias. Therefore
the association between phobias and frightening experiences is not as strong as one would
expect if behavioural theories provided complete explanation.
Another weakness is that it doesn’t account for the cognitive aspects of phobias. In the case
of phobias the key behaviour is avoidance of the phobic stimulus. However, phobias are not
just avoidance responses, they also have a significant cognitive component e.g. irrational
beliefs. The two process model explains avoidance behaviour but not phobic cognitions,
therefore not completely explaining the symptoms of behaviours.
The behavioural approach emphasises the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour.
Based on this, Mowrer (1960) proposed the two-process model which states that phobias
are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning.
Classical conditioning involves associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned
stimulus. Evidence for this can be seen in Watson and Rayner’s (1920) Little Albert Study in
which they successfully created a phobia in a baby. Albert showed no phobia to the rat
(neutral stimulus) when presented with it however when it was repeatedly paired with a loud
noise (unconditioned stimulus) he displayed fear as the rat became a conditioned stimulus;
he learnt to associate them together. This was then generalised to similar objects e.g. other
small animals. Therefore classical conditioning can explain how phobias are acquired.
Long lasting phobias are often the result of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning takes
place when behaviour is reinforced or punished. Mowrer suggested that whenever we avoid
a phobic stimulus we successfully escape the fear that it would have caused. This reduction
in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour and so the phobia is maintained.
This approach is strong as it has real world application in exposure therapy. It explains why
people with phobias benefit from being exposed to the phobic stimulus. Once the avoidance
behaviour is prevented it ceases to be reinforced by the experience of anxiety reduction and
avoidance therefore declines. In behavioural terms, the avoidance is the phobia so when this
is prevented the phobia is cured. This shows the value of the two process model as it
identifies a means of treating phobias.
Furthermore, there is also evidence of the link between bad experiences and phobias. A
study by Ad De Jongh (2006) found that 73% of people with a fear of dental treatment had
experienced traumatic experiences mostly related to dentistry. This was compared to a
control group of people with low dental anxiety where only 21% had experienced a traumatic
event. This confirms that the association between a stimulus (dentistry) and an
unconditioned response (pain) does lead to the development of a phobia.
However, not all phobias appear following a bad experience. Some common phobias e.g.
snake phobias occur in populations where few people have had experiences with snakes let
alone traumatic ones. Additionally, not all frightening experiences lead to phobias. Therefore
the association between phobias and frightening experiences is not as strong as one would
expect if behavioural theories provided complete explanation.
Another weakness is that it doesn’t account for the cognitive aspects of phobias. In the case
of phobias the key behaviour is avoidance of the phobic stimulus. However, phobias are not
just avoidance responses, they also have a significant cognitive component e.g. irrational
beliefs. The two process model explains avoidance behaviour but not phobic cognitions,
therefore not completely explaining the symptoms of behaviours.
