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Behavioural approach to phobias
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Explaining Phobias: The Two-Process Model

Explaining Phobias: The Two-Process Model

The behavioural approach states that all behaviour, including phobias, is learned. Orval Hobart Mowrer (1960) proposed the two-process model to explain how phobias are learned and maintained.

Corrected classical conditioning sequence:

  • Unconditioned stimulus (UCS), for example a loud noise → Unconditioned response (UCR), such as fear
  • Neutral stimulus (NS), for example a white rat, paired with the UCS → UCR (fear)
  • After repeated pairings, the NS becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS)
  • Conditioned stimulus (CS), the white rat, now produces a conditioned response (CR), fear

Behavioural approach to phobias Lesson

  1. A Level
  2. /Psychology
  3. /Behavioural approach to phobias

Step-by-step lessons on AQA A Level Psychology Behavioural approach to phobias. Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Start with the compulsory core topics before tackling the more evaluation-heavy optional and issues-and-debates content.

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