Submitted by: Submitted by rangerrock99
Views: 252
Words: 1950
Pages: 8
Category: Philosophy and Psychology
Date Submitted: 03/04/2013 08:36 PM
Phobias and Addictions
Nathaniel Loomis
PSY/300
October 8th, 2012
Karin Detweiler
Abstract
This paper explains in detail the methods of classical conditioning and operant conditioning; how extinction works and finds it use in psychology. Through the use of documented casework, this paper explores the ability of classical conditioning to both develop and remove fears and phobias. As classical conditioning is limited in its use of psychological application, the extinction of fears and phobias is its primary function. Operant conditioning revolves around the operant using behavior as the primary means of eliciting desired responses. Addiction is explained, giving a brief summary of the two main types of addiction and what the author, Nate Loomis, believes to be a third type. The primary focus of addiction in this paper is of the psychological variety and how operant conditioning is functional in perpetuating the addiction. This paper then covers the topics of positive and negative reinforcement, both of which find their use in the extinction of operant based behavior, citing child raising as a prime example of the use of these techniques.
Phobias and Addictions
Human beings develop their personalities, fears, likes and dislikes through a myriad of stimulants, exposures, and life experiences. The types of exposures take place in many forms: auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory. Through the singular or combined use of the five senses, any individual is trainable to have addictions or phobias, or to remove the same. The two major methods which involve adding or removing addictions or phobias are classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Conversely, the method of extinction revolves around the gradual reduction of one or more factors of the conditioning and reconditioning the subject to exhibit a different response. In order to understand how the methods of conditioning work, this paper will first clarify the differences between...