Phobias
and Addictions
“Learning is any enduring change in
the way an organism responds based on its experience.” (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, p. 164) . According to our
text, phobias and addictions are two emotional difficulties that can develop
through learning (Kowalski & Westen, 2011) . Learning can take
place through various different methods. Classical and operant conditioning are
two common learning methods developed by Ivan Pavlov and B.F. Skinner,
respectively. The results of classical and operant conditioning can contribute
to an individual’s ability to thrive and function; however, phobias and
addictions can also develop as a result.
Phobias and Classical Conditioning
Phobias are a persistent, irrational
fear of a specific object, activity or situation that leads to a compelling
desire to avoid it. This desire can interfere with a person’s ability to work,
socialize, or go about his or her daily routine. Researchers have different
theories on the cause of phobias. Some theories conclude that phobias are the
result of classical conditioning (Coelho & Purkis, 2009) .
Phobias develop through classical
conditioning when one stimulus is paired with another resulting in a different
response (Dingfelder, 2005) . In 1920, John B. Watson and Rosalie
Rayner conducted a landmark study involving classical conditioning. In this
study, they concluded that emotional responses could be conditioned, or learned
(Little Albert) . First, they frightened their subject,
Little Albert, by making a loud noise behind him. Then, through many tests,
they associated the noise to a white rat. Little Albert had become conditioned
to be afraid of the rat even without the noise. Other phobias can be conditioned
the same way. For example, a young child receives a shot at the doctor’s office
and feels pain when injected with the needle. Over time, the child associates
needles with pain and begins to cry at the sight of a needle. The child has
been conditioned to have a phobia of needle.
Addictions and Operant Conditioning
The American Society of Addiction
Medicine defines addiction as “a primary chronic disease of brain reward,
motivation, memory and related circuitry” (Definition of Addiction) . There are many
types of addictions such as gambling, substances, pornography, food and sex.
Addictions can become so strong to the point they can also interfere with a
person’s normal life. The basis behind operant conditioning is that behavior is
controlled by its consequences (Kowalski & Westen, 2011) .
An addiction develops when a
behavior is met with reinforcement. If the reinforcement is positive to the
person, the behavior becomes more frequent. This satisfies the brain reward
portion of the addiction definition. An example of addiction developed by
operant conditioning is alcoholism. A person drinks alcohol (behavior) and
begins to feel a “high” (reinforcement). The person begins to drink to feel the
“high”. This person has become addicted to alcohol through operant
conditioning. The drive the person wanted (the “high”) is satisfied and he or
she feels fulfilled as explained in Theory
of Addiction (West, 2006, p. 98) .
Distinguishing Between Classical
Conditioning and Operant Conditioning
Classical conditioning and operant
conditioning are two major theories of behavior. While both have some
similarities such as being methods to modify behavior and the use of
extinction, they also have differences. Classical conditioning involves a
natural stimulus paired with a response. In classical conditioning, a
previously neutral response creates the response even without the presence of
the natural stimulus. Operant conditioning involves an association between a
behavior and its consequence. Classical conditioning places a neutral signal
before a reflex whereas operant conditioning applies the reinforcement or
punishment after a behavior. Classical conditioning focuses on involuntary
behaviors whereas operant conditioning focuses on voluntary behaviors. While
the two are very different, they are both important in the learning process.
Extinction in Classical and Operant
Conditioning
Extinction is the gradual weakening
of a conditioned response that results in the behavior decreasing or
disappearing. Phobias and addictions are two difficulties that can affect
general living. Therefore, therapy should involve eliminating these from the
person’s mind. While not all phobias are developed through classical
conditioning, those that are can be eliminated by extinction. In classical
conditioning, extinction refers to the process by which a conditioned response
is weakened by the presentation of the conditioned stimulus without the
unconditioned stimulus (Kowalski & Westen, 2011) . In the example of
Little Albert, his phobia of the white rat could be decreased by the
presentation of the loud noise without the white rat being presented.
Addictions developed through operant
conditioning can also be eliminated by extinction (Kowalski & Westen, 2011) . Extinction happens
when the reward is no longer satisfying. In the alcoholism example, once the
alcohol no longer provides the “high” feeling desired, the person will no
longer drink and the behavior will be extinguished. Major addictions may need
more therapy than just basic extinction.
Other behavioral therapy methods may be used to solicit the extinction
of addiction.
Conclusion
There are many emotional
difficulties a person may experience. Two that behavioral researchers have
studied are phobias and addictions. Both of these can affect a person’s life in
very negative manners. Classical and operant conditioning are two methods in
which learning can occur. Some researchers believe that phobias can be developed
through classical conditioning and addictions can be developed by operant
conditioning. Just as phobias and addictions can be caused by these methods,
extinction can help reverse them.
References
Coelho, C., & Purkis, H. (2009). The origins of
specific phobias: Influential theories and current perspectives. Review Of
General Psychology, 13(4) , 335-348.
Definition of
Addiction. (n.d.). Retrieved February
27, 2012, from American Society of Addiction Medicine: http://www.asam.org/research-treatment/definition-of-addiction
Dingfelder, S. (2005).
Distinguishing between phobias. Monitor on Psychology, 36(7), , 98.
Kowalski, R., &
Westen, D. (2011). Psychology (6th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Little Albert. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2012, from Sweet
Briar College Department of Psychology:
http://www.psychology.sbc.edu/Little%20Albert.htm
West, R. (2006). Theory
of Addiction. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
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