Classical Conditioning Theory, Phobias, and Addictions - Essay Example

? Phobia and Addiction 2nd Feb. Phobia and Addiction Introduction Phobias can be defined as deep illogical fear that individuals develop towards objects, animals, people, places, activities or situations (Bernstein & Nash, 2005). Individuals develop phobias in their mind, and most of the time these phobias come as just a way of imagination in a person’s mind. However, people end up being disturbed and even frustrated, since the entire time they associate with those things, situations, activities, places, even people that they fear. For example, if a person comes across an object or animal he or she fears, he/she might scream and cause attention of those passing by. The whole situation might be embarrassing because people would laugh at him/her if the object or animal were not harmful. On the other hand, addiction can be defined as a never-ending or a persistent disease that is portrayed by the failure to have control over something. It can be a physical or psychological behavior that an individual is unable to control despite its consequences (Cacioppo, & Freberg, 2012). For example, an individual cannot be able to do without a certain drink, substance, object or even activity. Individuals get addicted towards computers, phones, games alcohol, drugs in that whenever he/she lacks those things, he/she feels incomplete or sick. Addiction may lead to harmful behavior to both the society and the one addicted due to its consequences. In the recent world, people have become more addicted to computers and phones than even substances or alcohol. How Classical Conditioning Develops Phobia Classical conditioning theory is a learning theory that revolves around the idea that behavior is learnt, and can be described as a form of training behavior whereby natural unconditioned stimulus causes unconditioned responses; alternatively, naturally conditioned stimulus causes conditioned response (Walsh, 2010). Both classical conditioning and phobia cause emotional problems or disturbances because of the reinforcement of the past experiences. Classical conditioning causes phobia through learning from negative incidents. This means that there is the creation of phobia through classical conditioning whereby individual behavior may not be because of the original stimulus but imaginations. For example, if during childhood a person was cut by a razor and ended up being taken to hospital, he/she might fear razors even during adulthood, and can never dare use it. Even if razors are the only options left to be used to cut something, he/she rather avoid cutting it or give it to somebody else to do it for him/her. This is because the moment he/she sees a razor he/she recalls the previous experience and can even cut him/herself if forced to use it due to the phobia. Another example is that of accidents if a person witnesses an accident occur between cars, ending up killing people the individual will fear boarding vehicles or even passing nearby the site of the accident. Whenever he/she hears of vehicles, he/she associates them with accidents and cannot even board similar vehicles even if they are the only ones available or with space. Therefore, phobias can be of immense disadvantage to individuals leading to uncomfortable life. How Operant Conditioning Develops Addiction Likewise, operant conditioning revolves around the law of effect; meaning that there is either a reward or a result due to an action. In other words, operant conditioning can be associated with actions and results or rewards (Newman & Newman, 2008). Hence, addiction can be developed through operant conditioning in that one is addicted to something due to frequent usage. For example, a person gets addicted to computer due to frequent usage, and that he/she cannot take long before using computers. This may be due to games, movies or internet that will keep him/her busy. As operant conditioning, which is associated, with rewards either positive or negative, addiction also is because of the effects or response of behavior. An individual is addicted to alcohol not that because it rewards him/her positively but because of how he/she feels after taking alcohol. The same way addiction is associated to obsession of something is the same way operant conditioning is associated with obsession. For example, a person who is obsessed with a mirror will spend a lot of time looking in the mirror until he/she is satisfied, and when an urge comes, he/she will again turn to the mirror. This can also be called an addiction because whenever that person is, he/she is with a mirror. Differences between Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning Classical conditioning is different from operant conditioning; classical conditioning is as a result of what is previously experienced while operant conditioning is the cause that leads to effect. In classical conditioning, behavior is as a result of what was experienced earlier; for example, if a child does not share with his/her friends the child will be advised that sharing is good, as it creates good relationship with others in society and that if he/she does not share he/she might not have friends in their neighborhood. The child grows knowing that sharing is good. In operant conditioning, even if a child shares or does not share with others to either make them happy or angry. What matters in operant conditioning is the consequence, either positive or negative. In classical conditioning, automatic responses are provoked without the stimulus that is normally associated with what is being said while, in operant conditioning, there is a relationship between the behavior and the consequence; meaning in operant conditioning behavior is as a result of rewards. For example, if a child know that he/she will be given a present after performing well in school, this will continue till adulthood while in classical conditioning, the facts that are believed in may not be true. How extinction is achieved through Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning Extinction in classical conditioning means that whatever we learn may not be the original response or behavior meaning that if we do not naturally respond to what we learn instead of applying own imagination, it means that all the responses that we learn will disappear. In Operant conditioning, if the behavior is not rewarded or if there is no consequence due to action, extinction will take place. This is whereby many people behave the way they do because there is a natural reward or consequence. In conclusion, both classical and operant conditionings are vital, though different, they help us understand the mind and be able to apply all that is learnt in the future life. Through the previous experience, we learn on how to behave when such happenings re-occur in life, and that behavior can be extinguished or eliminated through classical conditioning or operant conditioning. References Bernstein, D. & Nash, P. W. (2010). Essentials of psychology. Stamford, Connecticut: Cengage Learning Inc. Cacioppo, J. & Freberg, L. (2012). Discovering psychology: The science of mind. Stamford, Connecticut: Cengage Learning Inc. Newman, B. M. & Newman, P. R. (2011). Development through life: A psychosocial approach. Stamford, Connecticut: Cengage Learning Inc. Walsh, J. (2010). Theories for direct social work practice. Stamford, Connecticut: Cengage Learning Inc. Read More