Outline the behavioural explanation of phobias

The behavioural approach to phobias argues that maladaptive learning results in a conditioned fear of a stimulus. Classical conditioning refers to learning through association, thereby in the case of Little Albert (1920) when he was presented with a rabbit he showed no signs of fear, but when the rabbit was paired with a loud noise repeatedly, he eventually showed fear of just the rabbit alone – because he has learnt to associate the rabbit with the feeling of being scared (which came from the noise.) Therefore, a previously neutral stimulus became a conditioned stimulus that elicited a conditioned response – the feeling of fear, therefore a phobia had been created. Furthermore, the other explanation of behaviour learning is operant conditioning. This is learning through reinforcement, so reward and punishment. Phobias can be acquired because it is rewarding to avoid a stimulus that can cause pain, such as if you are once bitten by a dog, you will continue to fear dogs in general as it is rewarding to avoid them as they will not harm you. Consequently, a phobia of dogs has been created. Additionally, phobias can be attained through punishment learning as well, for instance if a rat learns that if he stands on a plate he will receive an electric shock. As a result, the rat will avoid the plate in order to avoid the punishment, so a fear of the plate is reinforced, and a phobia develops.