Phobias: Learning Theory Explanations
Key words: The Two-Process Model:
Acquisition - the process of Hobart Mowrer proposed the model, based on the
gaining something, in this learning theory, to explain the acquisition and
case a phobia. The term is maintenance of phobias.
theoretically neutral. Phobias can be acquired by the process of classical
Maintenance - the process conditioning and are maintained through operant
of keeping something going. conditioning.
If a phobia is acquired then
over time we expect it to
Phobias by Classical Conditioning:
decline or maintain.
Learning to associate one stimulus to another.
Neutral stimulus initially creates no fear and the other
stimulus is the one that already triggers a fear response
- unconditioned stimulus.
Evaluation: Through association the NS relates to fear and becomes
Supporting evidence - the CS which produces a conditioned response.
human and animal studies. Show in the Watson and Rayner study of Little Albert.
Watson and Rayner study of
Little Albert. Maintenance by Operant Conditioning:
Weakness - does not explain Takes place when behaviour is reinforced or punished.
all aspects of phobias. We Mowrer conditioned a rat to develop an avoidance
acquire phobias of things response to a shock. It could escape the shock by
that have been an danger in jumping the barrier in it’s cage.
our evolutionary past like Escape was negatively reinforced and this is where the
snakes but not things like avoidance response was learnt.
guns. Some people acquire A conditioned phobia responds by avoiding the fear
phobias without provoking stimulus, anxiety lessens and negative
conditioning. reinforcement is provided to avoid the behaviour.
Application - real world uses
for therapists and their
clients. Systematic
desensitisation and flooding Social Learning of Phobias:
are therapist techniques Cook and Mineka suggest that observational learning is
used to treat phobias. used to acquire phobias.
Systematic helps learn new Baby monkey watch adult monkey fear response and act
responses to phobias while in the same way.
flooding works by extinction Same as humans and there may be gender based
of learned fear response. phobias.
Key words: The Two-Process Model:
Acquisition - the process of Hobart Mowrer proposed the model, based on the
gaining something, in this learning theory, to explain the acquisition and
case a phobia. The term is maintenance of phobias.
theoretically neutral. Phobias can be acquired by the process of classical
Maintenance - the process conditioning and are maintained through operant
of keeping something going. conditioning.
If a phobia is acquired then
over time we expect it to
Phobias by Classical Conditioning:
decline or maintain.
Learning to associate one stimulus to another.
Neutral stimulus initially creates no fear and the other
stimulus is the one that already triggers a fear response
- unconditioned stimulus.
Evaluation: Through association the NS relates to fear and becomes
Supporting evidence - the CS which produces a conditioned response.
human and animal studies. Show in the Watson and Rayner study of Little Albert.
Watson and Rayner study of
Little Albert. Maintenance by Operant Conditioning:
Weakness - does not explain Takes place when behaviour is reinforced or punished.
all aspects of phobias. We Mowrer conditioned a rat to develop an avoidance
acquire phobias of things response to a shock. It could escape the shock by
that have been an danger in jumping the barrier in it’s cage.
our evolutionary past like Escape was negatively reinforced and this is where the
snakes but not things like avoidance response was learnt.
guns. Some people acquire A conditioned phobia responds by avoiding the fear
phobias without provoking stimulus, anxiety lessens and negative
conditioning. reinforcement is provided to avoid the behaviour.
Application - real world uses
for therapists and their
clients. Systematic
desensitisation and flooding Social Learning of Phobias:
are therapist techniques Cook and Mineka suggest that observational learning is
used to treat phobias. used to acquire phobias.
Systematic helps learn new Baby monkey watch adult monkey fear response and act
responses to phobias while in the same way.
flooding works by extinction Same as humans and there may be gender based
of learned fear response. phobias.
