Applications to Psychology

Phobias can thus be seen as providing a testing ground for the major theories
of psychology. Whether the theorist adopts a psychodynamic, learning/
behavioral, or cognitive perspective, some account of the development and
treatment of phobias must be made. No one theory has been shown to be
completely adequate, so research continues in each area. The study of phobias
also illustrates the importance to psychology of animal research in helping
psychologists to understand and treat human problems. For example,
Susan Mineka has used monkeys to demonstrate the relative importance of
social learning versus biology in the development of phobias. Future research
will also likely consider the interactions among the various models of
phobias and the conditions that might predict which models would be most
effective in explaining and treating specific cases of phobias. As the models
mature and are integrated into a comprehensive theory of phobias, this
knowledge can then be applied to the prevention of phobias.
Sources for Further Study
Beck, Aaron T., and Gary Emery. Anxiety Disorders and Phobias: A Cognitive Perspective.
Reprint. New York: Basic Books, 1990. Though cognitive explanations
and treatments for phobias are stressed, this book considers other
perspectives as well, and it could serve as an introduction to the topic for
the interested high school or college student.
Bourne, Edmund. The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. 3d ed. Oakland, Calif.:
New Harbinger, 2000. An excellent self-help book for those who suffer
from an anxiety disorder. Also an accessible introduction to the causes
and treatments of phobias for high school and college students. Contains
self-diagnostic and therapy exercises as well as other resources for the
phobia sufferer.
Gold, Mark S. The Good News About Panic, Anxiety, and Phobias. New York: Random
House, 1989. For a general audience. Outlines many biological factors which may be associated with phobias. Presents a one-sided approach,
heavily promoting a biopsychiatric view of phobias and their
treatment.
Marks, Issac Meyer. Fears, Phobias, and Rituals. New York: Oxford University
Press, 1987. With more than five hundred pages and a bibliography with
more than two thousand references, this text provides comprehensive
coverage of all aspects of phobias. Written for the professional and researcher
but accessible to college students who are interested in pursuing
some aspect of phobias in detail.
Mineka, Susan. “Animal Models of Anxiety-Based Disorders: Their Usefulness
and Limitations.” In Anxiety and the Anxiety Disorders, edited by A.
Hussain Tuma and Jack Maser. Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum, 1985.
The phobia portion of this chapter reviews the major experiments done
with animals which demonstrate the many similarities between human
phobias and experimental phobias in animals. Clearly illustrates the relevance
of animal research to human behavior. Difficult yet indispensable
for a thorough understanding of phobias.
Wilson, R. Reid. Breaking the Panic Cycle: Self-Help for People with Phobias.
Rockville, Md.: Anxiety Disorders Association of America, 1987. A publication
of a nonprofit organization which is dedicated to disseminating information
and providing help to phobia sufferers. The ADAA also publishes
the National Treatment Directory, which lists treatment programs
throughout the country.
David S. McDougal
See also: Anxiety Disorders; Conditioning; Learning; Nervous System; Pavlovian
Conditioning; Reflexes. 638