Behavioural Approach: Explaining Phobias (AO1)
Phobias are seen as a learnt behaviour, either through classical conditioning and
operant conditioning
Mower (1947) suggested this is a 2 process theory as it involves learning through
- Classical conditioning (learn the phobia)
- Operant conditioning (maintaining it)
Classical conditioning
- Behaviour is learned through association
- When two or more things happen at the same time our brain associates them
together
- Phobias occur when a neutral stimulus is conditioned
Watson and Rayner → Little Albert Study (1920)
- Initially Little Albert showed no response to the rat (neutral stimulus)
- Researchers then struck a metal bar with a hammer to create a loud noise every time
he went to reach for the rat
- Similar white fluffy objects including Santa’s beard
Loud noise = unconditioned stimulus, albert being scared = unconditioned response
Rat + loud noise = Repeated → Conditioned stimulus
Rat then becomes a conditioned response, and albert becomes scared of all white fluffy
animals
Operant conditioning
- The learn phobia is maintained by operant conditioning because fear is reduced
when we avoid the object and so we are being reinforced through negative
reinforcement.
- Once Albert avoided rats, his fear was reduced which meant he was being reinforced
to avoid them again.
Phobias are seen as a learnt behaviour, either through classical conditioning and
operant conditioning
Mower (1947) suggested this is a 2 process theory as it involves learning through
- Classical conditioning (learn the phobia)
- Operant conditioning (maintaining it)
Classical conditioning
- Behaviour is learned through association
- When two or more things happen at the same time our brain associates them
together
- Phobias occur when a neutral stimulus is conditioned
Watson and Rayner → Little Albert Study (1920)
- Initially Little Albert showed no response to the rat (neutral stimulus)
- Researchers then struck a metal bar with a hammer to create a loud noise every time
he went to reach for the rat
- Similar white fluffy objects including Santa’s beard
Loud noise = unconditioned stimulus, albert being scared = unconditioned response
Rat + loud noise = Repeated → Conditioned stimulus
Rat then becomes a conditioned response, and albert becomes scared of all white fluffy
animals
Operant conditioning
- The learn phobia is maintained by operant conditioning because fear is reduced
when we avoid the object and so we are being reinforced through negative
reinforcement.
- Once Albert avoided rats, his fear was reduced which meant he was being reinforced
to avoid them again.
