The Evolutionary Theory of Phobias

BATs- Evaluate the Behaviourist Theory of phobias (C+)- Outline and evaluate the evolutionary theory for explaining phobias (C+)- compare the behaviourist and evolutionary theories of phobias (B+)

Behaviourist theory of phobias

• All behaviours, including phobias, are learnt.

• In other words, phobias are conditioned.

• Phobias start because of classical conditioning.

• Phobias are maintained (kept going) by operant conditioning.

Can you identify these key terms from classical conditioning?

• UCS• CR• NS• CS• UCR

Unconditioned stimulus

Conditioned response

Neutral stimulus

Conditioned stimulus

Unconditioned stimulus

UCS UCR

NS

CS CR

If you had Arachnophobia how could you explain it using Classical conditioning?

UCS UCR

NS

CS CR

Being BittenFEAR

Spider

Spider FEAR

If you had Arachnophobia how could you explain it using Classical conditioning?

Evaluating the Behaviourist Theory

• It ignores the thinking behind phobias – it is not just about having a bad experience but also about how we think about it (rationally or irrationally).

• People have phobias of objects or situations that they have had no experience of. So they must learn to have that phobia from others e.g.Parents.

• It ignores the idea that phobias may be more instinctive than learnt. Evolutionary theory suggests that we have an innate tendency to fear objects or situations that threaten our survival.

Criticisms

Evolutionary Theory of phobias

This theory proposes the idea of preparedness – we are ready to fear certain things more than others if they threaten our chances of surviving.

Why would we be prepared to fear the following? rodents flying the dark Closed spaces heights

Evolutionary Theory of phobias Read p 70-71 The Alternative Theory: Evolutionary

Theory Fill the meaning of these key terms into your Glossary.. Evolutionary Theory add in – Preparedness Answer these questions ..1. Why do we need a sense of fear?2. Which type of animals does Evolutionary theory suggest

we find most frightening? Why3. Why might it be more difficult to get rid of phobias that

threat our survival?4. How does preparedness help us to survive?5. Why don’t we have phobias of guns, cigarettes,

electricity?

Lets test the Theory!!

• Have a go at Activity 5.8 p71• You can choose 10 different animal pictures• Make up a rating scale.• Do a survey to find out how frightened the class

is of these animals

• Draw a graph (extension – calculate averages)

• Describe your findings in words

• Do your findings support the Evolutionary Theory?

Compare the Behaviourist and Evolutionary Theories

• Use the ‘2 hand approach’ to compare the 2 theories

Behaviourist Theory of Phobias

Evolutionary Theory of Phobias

BUT, on the other hand …

Holiday Homework

• Use the revision booklet – I will mark it!!

• Fill in all the glossary sheets used so far

• Catch up on any work missed

Remember – Exam on

May18th!!!