1. Behavioural Theory Classical Conditioning (Pavlov)
Learning by association
Operant Conditioning (Skinner)
Learning through reinforcement (reward/punishment)
Social Learning Theory (Bandura)
Learning can be vicarious and behaviour imitative (i.e. learning from other people’s experiences)

2. Assumptions about Causes of Abnormality
Abnormal behaviours are learned through conditioning
Only behaviour is important
Same laws for humans and non-human animals

3. Classical Conditioning – Pavlov (1927)
Unconditioned Stimulus
Unconditioned Response
Neutral Stimulus
Unconditioned Stimulus
Unconditioned Response
Conditioned Stimulus
Conditioned Response

4. Operant Conditioning (Skinner 1957)

5. Social Learning (Skinner, 1965)
Extension of Conditioning theories as applied to learning through social observation (i.e. vicarious learning).
E.g. ‘Bobo’ doll experiment; children learning aggressive behaviour (and gender roles!)

6. Behavioural Treatment
Behaviour Therapy: techniques based on classical conditioning (i.e. reflexive behaviour).
Systematic desensitisation
Flooding
Aversion Therapy
Behaviour Modification: techniques based on operant conditioning (i.e. voluntary behaviour).
Token economy
Social learning

7. Systematic Desensitisation
= gradual exposure to the object of the phobia
Example of using S.D in treating Arachnophobia (fear of spiders) 

8. Flooding
Another possible treatment for phobias
Prepare the patient with coping technique (relaxation & breathing exercises, visualisation techniques, etc) before overwhelming exposure to the object of the phobia (e.g. in the case of arachnophobia, make them stand in a spider enclosure!)
Therapist stays with patient to make sure they remain in control and not ‘freaking out’.
However, this can be quite a risky technique and raises some ethical concerns.

9. Evaluation (AO2) +ve: Does not label those with mental illness
+ve: Thepractical and focuses on functioning (especially useful for things like treating phobias)
HOWEVER
-ve: Does not consider underlying causes
-ve: Reductionist (reduces the complex issues of mental disorders to a simple mechanism of reward and punishment