Explaining and Treating Phobias (Behavioural Approach)

This section explores The Behavioural Approach to Explaining and Treating Phobias. The behavioural approach in psychology focuses on observable behaviours and suggests that phobias are learned through experience. Behaviourists believe that phobias are acquired and maintained through conditioning processes, as described in the two-process model. Additionally, they propose specific treatments like systematic desensitisation and flooding to help individuals overcome phobias.

The Two-Process Model

The two-process model was proposed by Mowrer (1947) and explains phobias through a combination of classical conditioning (for acquisition) and operant conditioning (for maintenance).

Classical Conditioning - Acquisition of Phobias

Definition: Classical conditioning is a learning process where a neutral stimulus (NS) becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that naturally triggers a response.

Process:

Before Conditioning: An unconditioned stimulus (UCS), such as a loud noise, naturally produces an unconditioned response (UCR), such as fear.

During Conditioning: The UCS is paired with a neutral stimulus (NS), such as a white rat. Over time, the individual begins to associate the NS with the UCS.

After Conditioning: The neutral stimulus (now a conditioned stimulus, CS) alone produces the conditioned response (CR), which in this case is fear.

Example: The well-known case of Little Albert by Watson and Rayner (1920) illustrates this process. Little Albert was conditioned to fear a white rat (NS) after repeatedly pairing it with a loud noise (UCS), resulting in fear (UCR). Eventually, the sight of the rat alone triggered fear (CR), and this fear generalised to other white, furry objects.

Operant Conditioning - Maintenance of Phobias

Definition: Operant conditioning is a learning process where behaviours are influenced by their consequences, such as rewards or punishments.

Process:

In the context of phobias, operant conditioning primarily involves negative reinforcement. When an individual avoids a phobic stimulus (e.g., spiders), they experience relief from anxiety, which reinforces the avoidance behaviour and makes it more likely to continue.

This avoidance prevents the individual from confronting the fear and thus maintains the phobia over time.

Example: If a person with a phobia of heights avoids high places, the anxiety associated with heights is reduced, which reinforces avoidance and prevents extinction of the phobic response.

Evaluation of the Two-Process Model

Strengths:

• Provides a strong, evidence-based explanation for the acquisition and maintenance of phobias, especially simple phobias.
• The model has practical applications in behavioural therapies, like systematic desensitisation and flooding, which are effective in treating phobias by breaking the cycle of avoidance.

Limitations:

• Incomplete Explanation: The model does not fully account for phobias that develop without a traumatic experience, suggesting that other factors, such as biological predispositions, might play a role.
• Cognitive Factors: The two-process model overlooks cognitive factors, such as irrational beliefs or cognitive distortions, which also contribute to phobias.
• Ignores Evolutionary Factors: Some phobias (e.g., of snakes or heights) may be more readily acquired due to evolutionary factors, which the model does not consider.

Systematic Desensitisation (SD)

Systematic desensitisation (SD) is a behavioural therapy used to reduce phobic anxiety gradually. It is based on counterconditioning and the concept of reciprocal inhibition (the idea that it is impossible to feel both anxious and relaxed simultaneously).

Process of Systematic Desensitisation

Relaxation Training: The individual learns relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and visualisation, to reduce anxiety. These techniques help the individual stay calm when facing the phobic stimulus.

Development of an Anxiety Hierarchy: The individual and therapist create a hierarchy of feared situations, ordered from least to most frightening. For example, someone with a spider phobia might list “seeing a spider in a photo” at the bottom and “holding a spider” at the top.

Gradual Exposure: The individual is gradually exposed to each level of the hierarchy, starting with the least anxiety-provoking scenario, while practising relaxation techniques at each step. Only when the individual can remain relaxed at one level do they move to the next.

Counterconditioning: Through repeated pairings of the phobic stimulus with relaxation rather than anxiety, the individual’s response to the phobic stimulus is “counterconditioned” to relaxation, effectively replacing the fear response.

Evaluation of Systematic Desensitisation

Strengths:

• Effective: Research shows SD is highly effective, particularly for specific phobias. Studies indicate a high success rate in both adults and children.
• Ethical: SD is typically considered a more ethical and manageable treatment than flooding, as it involves gradual exposure, which can be less distressing for the individual.
• Long-Lasting Effects: SD has been shown to have lasting effects when individuals are able to countercondition their fear response effectively.

Limitations:

• Less Effective for Complex Phobias: SD may be less effective for social phobias or other complex phobias with cognitive elements, as it does not address the irrational beliefs associated with the fear.
• Time-Consuming: SD can be a lengthy process, requiring multiple sessions and a significant amount of time for gradual exposure.

Flooding

Flooding is another behavioural therapy for phobias that involves immediate and intense exposure to the phobic stimulus, without gradual build-up. The idea is that by facing the phobia directly and for a prolonged period, the individual’s anxiety will eventually decrease through extinction.

Process of Flooding

The individual is exposed to the most frightening situation in relation to their phobia all at once. For instance, someone with a fear of heights might be taken to the top of a tall building.

Extinction: The individual’s anxiety response is sustained, and without avoidance, the fear should eventually diminish as the body’s natural anxiety response lessens over time.

Relaxation: Although no formal relaxation training is typically provided before flooding, the individual will likely begin to relax naturally as the fear response extinguishes.

Evaluation of Flooding

Strengths:

• Cost-Effective and Quick: Flooding can often be completed in a single session, making it more cost-effective and quicker than systematic desensitisation.
• Effective for Specific Phobias: Flooding has shown to be particularly effective for specific phobias, where direct confrontation with the phobic stimulus can result in rapid improvement.

Limitations:

• Ethical Concerns: Flooding is highly intense and can be traumatic, making it less suitable for some individuals, especially children or those with severe anxiety.
• Risk of Reinforcement: If an individual cannot complete the flooding session due to distress, they may leave the session with reinforced anxiety, making the phobia even more entrenched.
• Less Effective for Complex Phobias: Flooding may be less suitable for complex phobias or phobias with cognitive elements, as it doesn’t address underlying thoughts and beliefs.

Summary Table

Conclusion

The behavioural approach to explaining and treating phobias focuses on learning processes and conditioning. While the two-process model provides insight into how phobias are acquired and maintained, systematic desensitisation and flooding offer practical and effective treatments. Each treatment has its advantages and limitations, and suitability depends on the type and severity of the phobia.