Operant Conditioning Addictions
Phobias and Addictions through Classical and Operant Conditioning
PSY-300
January 28, 2013
Lillian Fillpot, M.A., Ed.S., CRC
Phobias and Addictions through Classical and Operant Conditioning
This paper will explore how phobias and addictions are formed through both classical and operant conditioning and show just as addictions and phobias can be formed, they can also become extinct.
Classical conditioning is the use of a conditional stimulus such as a person, place or object that forms an unconditional response. An unconditional response is one that does not require thought, but instead, is a natural reaction of the body (Kowalski & Weston, 2010).
Irrational fear of an object or a situation is called a phobia. Phobia’s …show more content…
It can become a phobia through operant conditioning. A phobia created by operant conditioning takes place when the negative reaction to the stimulus is reinforced by the avoidance of that stimulus. Over time, the negativity escalates and the individual will have a much harder time dealing with and overcoming his or her fear.
While classical and operant conditioning can create phobias, they can also cause addictions. According to the book “Addictions: A Comprehensive Guidebook” (McCrady & Epstein, 1999) classically conditioned addictions are created when the mind begins to associate a person place or object to the stimulus of the addiction such as shopping, drugs or food. These associations then begin to have a trigger effect and that causes the cravings or urges for the stimulus.
With operant conditioning, a person is conditioned to use his or her stimulus of choice because of the feelings or emotions that are aroused due to the use of the individual’s stimulus. These feelings are a positive reinforcement of his or hers behavior directly related to the use of that person’s “drug” of choice. In the case of an individual who is addicted to food, if he or she is feeling upset or anxious, they may choose to binge on food and in the moment, start to feel less anxious or less irritable. These feelings are a positive reinforcement of their choice to
PSY-300
January 28, 2013
Lillian Fillpot, M.A., Ed.S., CRC
Phobias and Addictions through Classical and Operant Conditioning
This paper will explore how phobias and addictions are formed through both classical and operant conditioning and show just as addictions and phobias can be formed, they can also become extinct.
Classical conditioning is the use of a conditional stimulus such as a person, place or object that forms an unconditional response. An unconditional response is one that does not require thought, but instead, is a natural reaction of the body (Kowalski & Weston, 2010).
Irrational fear of an object or a situation is called a phobia. Phobia’s …show more content…
It can become a phobia through operant conditioning. A phobia created by operant conditioning takes place when the negative reaction to the stimulus is reinforced by the avoidance of that stimulus. Over time, the negativity escalates and the individual will have a much harder time dealing with and overcoming his or her fear.
While classical and operant conditioning can create phobias, they can also cause addictions. According to the book “Addictions: A Comprehensive Guidebook” (McCrady & Epstein, 1999) classically conditioned addictions are created when the mind begins to associate a person place or object to the stimulus of the addiction such as shopping, drugs or food. These associations then begin to have a trigger effect and that causes the cravings or urges for the stimulus.
With operant conditioning, a person is conditioned to use his or her stimulus of choice because of the feelings or emotions that are aroused due to the use of the individual’s stimulus. These feelings are a positive reinforcement of his or hers behavior directly related to the use of that person’s “drug” of choice. In the case of an individual who is addicted to food, if he or she is feeling upset or anxious, they may choose to binge on food and in the moment, start to feel less anxious or less irritable. These feelings are a positive reinforcement of their choice to