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Aim: To use classical conditioning to treat a child with a phobia of buttons.

Learning Approach

Psychology Notes

 A Level/AS Level/O Level

Learning Approach

Learning Approach: Treating a Button Phobia

This section explores how the "Learning Approach" in psychology, specifically classical conditioning, can be used to treat a child's phobia of buttons.

1. Understanding Classical Conditioning:

-Think Pavlov's Dogs: You know how Pavlov's dogs learned to salivate at the sound of a bell because it was paired with food? That's classical conditioning.

-Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): Something that naturally causes a response. In the case of a phobia, it's the thing the person fears (like buttons).

-Unconditioned Response (UCR): The natural response to the UCS. For a phobia, it's the fear, anxiety, or avoidance behavior.

-Conditioned Stimulus (CS): A neutral stimulus (not initially scary) that gets paired with the UCS. In this case, it could be a button.

-Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to the CS, which is similar to the UCR. So, the child starts fearing buttons (the CS) because of their association with the phobia (UCS).

2. Example: Lily and the Buttons:

Imagine Lily, a 10-year-old who is terrified of buttons. She cries, screams, and runs away when she sees them.

-UCS: The fear of buttons (the initial, unlearned fear).

-UCR: Lily's fear response (crying, screaming, running away).

-CS: A button (neutral at first, but now associated with fear).

-CR: Lily now also fears buttons (the learned fear).

3. Using Classical Conditioning to Treat Lily:

-Systematic Desensitization: This gradual process helps Lily face her fear in a controlled environment.

-Relaxation Techniques: Lily learns techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation to manage her anxiety.

-Exposure Hierarchy: This involves creating a list of button-related situations, starting with the least scary and gradually moving towards the most scary (like touching a button, wearing a button, etc.).

-Gradual Exposure: Lily is exposed to each item on the hierarchy while practicing her relaxation techniques. This helps her associate buttons with calmness instead of fear.

-Reinforcement: Each successful exposure is rewarded with praise, positive attention, or a small treat, further reinforcing the positive association.

4. Real-World Example:

A therapist might start by having Lily look at pictures of buttons from a distance, while using relaxation techniques.

Then, they might have her look at buttons up close, then touch them, and finally, wear a button.

Throughout the process, Lily's therapist would provide support and help her manage her anxiety.

5. Key Points:

Classical conditioning is a powerful tool for treating phobias, especially those developed through negative experiences.

It involves associating the feared object with a positive or neutral experience.

It's important to use a therapist who is trained in this method to ensure proper treatment.

Remember: Therapy takes time and effort, but with dedication and the right approach, children can overcome phobias and live happier, more fulfilling lives.

Bonus Notes

Classical Conditioning and Phobia Treatment

1. Key Principles of Classical Conditioning:

Classical conditioning involves learning through association. A neutral stimulus (CS) is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US) that elicits an unconditioned response (UR). Over time, the CS alone comes to elicit a conditioned response (CR) similar to the UR. Key principles include:

⭐Acquisition: The initial learning process.
⭐Extinction: Weakening of the CR when the CS is presented without the US.
⭐Spontaneous Recovery: Reappearance of the CR after extinction.
⭐Generalization: Responding to stimuli similar to the CS.
⭐Discrimination: Learning to differentiate between the CS and other stimuli.

Relevance to Phobia Treatment:

Phobias are learned fears, often stemming from a traumatic experience. Classical conditioning provides a framework to understand how a neutral stimulus (e.g., buttons) can become associated with fear, and therefore, how to unlearn that association through treatment.

2. Establishing CS and US:

The therapist would identify a specific button that triggers the child's fear (CS). They would then pair the button with a pleasant stimulus (US) that naturally evokes a positive response, such as a favorite toy or a fun activity.

3. Using Extinction to Eliminate Fear:

The therapist would repeatedly expose the child to the button (CS) without the US (pleasant stimulus). Over time, the child's fear response (CR) to the button would weaken, eventually disappearing through repeated exposure without the negative association.

4. Limitations and Overcoming them:

⭐Limited to Learned Fears: Classical conditioning is ineffective for phobias rooted in genetic predisposition or rational fear (e.g., fear of heights).
⭐Spontaneous Recovery: Fear may resurface, requiring ongoing maintenance.
⭐Generalization: Fear may generalize to similar stimuli, requiring broader treatment.

To overcome these limitations, combine classical conditioning (systematic desensitization) with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address underlying thoughts, beliefs, and coping mechanisms.

5. Learning Theory Contribution:

Classical conditioning provides a valuable model for understanding the development of phobias. It shows how an originally neutral stimulus can become associated with fear through repeated pairing with a fear-evoking event. This knowledge guides treatment strategies, allowing therapists to identify and weaken these learned associations, ultimately reducing fear.

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