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Updated for AQA 2025 Spec – Teaching from SEPTEMBER 2025 onwards

This resource is designed for teaching The Behavioural Approach to Explaining Phobias under the AQA A-Level Psychology (2025 Specification). It has been fully updated to meet the revised requirements, which expect students to describe, apply, and evaluate the two-process model of phobia acquisition and maintenance, including classical and operant conditioning, and to consider alternative explanations.

If you’re looking for the 2019 specification version of this topic, please visit my shop.

This fully editable lesson guides students through Mowrer’s two-process model, helping them understand how phobias are learned and maintained. Students build AO1 knowledge through clear diagrams and explanations, apply learning to real-world examples, and develop AO3 evaluation skills through structured discussion and exam-style practice.

What’s Included:

• Fully Editable Lesson Slides – Introduces classical and operant conditioning as explanations of phobias. Includes clear flow diagrams, retrieval starters, case examples (e.g. fear of dogs), and step-by-step breakdowns of conditioning processes.

• Think, Pair, Share Activities – Prompts students to reflect on whether all phobias can be explained by learning theory, and how behaviourism may ignore biological or cognitive influences.

• Case Study Application Task – Students apply the two-process model to a case study involving Zelda’s phobia of dogs, developing AO2 skills and diagnostic reasoning.

• Evaluation Worksheet – Printable activity to help students analyse key strengths and limitations of the behavioural explanation, including the role of avoidance behaviour, biological preparedness, and alternative theories.

• Exam Practice Questions – Includes a 4-mark explanation task, a 6-mark application task, and model student answers with scaffolds to build exam confidence.

• Plenary and Extension Tasks – Encourage critical thinking and stretch higher-attaining learners with challenge questions and summary prompts.

How This Resource Reflects the 2025 Specification Changes:

• Fully aligned with AQA 2025 content under Clinical Psychology and Mental Health

• Covers updated sub-topic: The Behavioural Approach to Explaining Phobias

• Supports AO1, AO2, and AO3 objectives with structured modelling, application, and evaluation

• Encourages use of diagnostic language and case-based reasoning, as required by the updated specification

• Suitable for classroom teaching, independent learning, cover work, or revision