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Chapter 15: Problem 27

Describe how cognitive theories of the etiology of anxiety disorders differ from learning theories.

Short Answer

Expert verified
In essence, cognitive theories regard anxiety disorders as stemming from maladaptive thought patterns and cognitive distortions, focusing on the mental process. Learning theories, on the other hand, view anxiety disorders as learned behavior, where anxiety symptoms are acquired through conditioning and observational learning. These differences in turn affect treatment approaches under each theory.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Cognitive Theories

Cognitive theories suggest that anxiety disorders stem from maladaptive patterns of thinking. These theories posit that individuals with anxiety disorders often have a bias towards threat-related stimuli and tend to exaggerate the probability and consequences of adverse events. Cognitive theories focus on mental processes, reasoning, and perception.
02

Understanding Learning Theories

Learning theories propose that anxiety disorders are a result of learned behaviour. They emphasize the role of conditioning and learnt associations between stimuli and response in the development of anxiety disorders. For instance, classical conditioning can lead to a neutral stimulus becoming a trigger for anxiety. Observational learning is another mechanism explained by the learning theories, whereby anxiety behaviors are learnt by watching others.
03

Contrasting Cognitive and Learning Theories

Now we contrast the two. Cognitive theories place its emphasis on irrational and dysfunctional thinking, while learning theories stress the acquisition of anxiety symptoms through classical and operant conditioning processes, as well as observational learning. Cognitive theories suggest that anxiety disorders can be treated by changing maladaptive thoughts and cognitive distortions. In contrast, learning theories suggest that effective treatments involve unlearning the maladaptive behaviour and learning more adaptive responses to anxiety-provoking situations.

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