Experts are not entirely sure whyphobiasdevelop. However, there are numerous theories, and they can be classified into three different categories:
Look at these theories and you’ll see how complex the development of a phobia is, and why it likely stems from a combination of many factors.
Psychoanalytic Theory
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Sigmund Freudis popularly known as the father of psychoanalysis. His pioneering structural theory was largely based on the three parts of the psyche:
The id is the most primal and instinctive part of the mind and is the basis of our drives. The superego composes morals, values, and prohibitions internalized during development. The ego is the rational moderator between the two. A significant portion of the ego’s duty is to control the impulses of the id.
The Psychoanalytic Theory of Phobias
Learning Theory
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According to the learning theory, phobias develop when fear responses are reinforced or punished. Both reinforcement and punishment can be positive or negative.
How Learning Theories Help Treat Phobias
Biological Basis
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Neuropsychologists have identified certain genetic factors that may play a role in the development of phobias. It is also known that certain medications that affect the brain’s chemistry are helpful in treating phobias.
Phobias With a Biological Cause
A Word From VerywellAt present, we have no definitive answer to what causes phobias. Chances are, however, that there are multiple causes, and that different people may develop phobias for different reasons.In some cases, a combination of genetic and physiological issues may be at play. For others, the cause may be psychological or environmental. Fortunately, exposure treatments are effective for phobias, regardless of their causes.Treatment Options for Phobias
A Word From Verywell
At present, we have no definitive answer to what causes phobias. Chances are, however, that there are multiple causes, and that different people may develop phobias for different reasons.
In some cases, a combination of genetic and physiological issues may be at play. For others, the cause may be psychological or environmental. Fortunately, exposure treatments are effective for phobias, regardless of their causes.
Treatment Options for Phobias
6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Windholz G.Ivan P. Pavlov: An overview of his life and psychological work.Am Psychol.1997;52(9):941–946. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.52.9.941Bloom CM, Post RJ, Mazick J, et al.A discriminated conditioned punishment model of phobia.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2013;9:1239–1248. doi:10.2147/NDT.S49886Deacon BJ.The biomedical model of mental disorder: a critical analysis of its validity, utility, and effects on psychotherapy research.Clin Psychol Rev. 2013;33(7):846–861. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.09.007Loken EK, Hettema JM, Aggen SH, Kendler KS.The structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for fears and phobias.Psychol Med. 2014;44(11):2375–2384. doi:10.1017/S0033291713003012Farach FJ, Pruitt LD, Jun JJ, Jerud AB, Zoellner LA, Roy-Byrne PP.Pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders: current treatments and future directions.J Anxiety Disord. 2012;26(8):833–843. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2012.07.009Raeder F, Merz CJ, Margraf J, Zlomuzica A.The association between fear extinction, the ability to accomplish exposure and exposure therapy outcome in specific phobia.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):4288. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-61004-3
6 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Windholz G.Ivan P. Pavlov: An overview of his life and psychological work.Am Psychol.1997;52(9):941–946. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.52.9.941Bloom CM, Post RJ, Mazick J, et al.A discriminated conditioned punishment model of phobia.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2013;9:1239–1248. doi:10.2147/NDT.S49886Deacon BJ.The biomedical model of mental disorder: a critical analysis of its validity, utility, and effects on psychotherapy research.Clin Psychol Rev. 2013;33(7):846–861. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.09.007Loken EK, Hettema JM, Aggen SH, Kendler KS.The structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for fears and phobias.Psychol Med. 2014;44(11):2375–2384. doi:10.1017/S0033291713003012Farach FJ, Pruitt LD, Jun JJ, Jerud AB, Zoellner LA, Roy-Byrne PP.Pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders: current treatments and future directions.J Anxiety Disord. 2012;26(8):833–843. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2012.07.009Raeder F, Merz CJ, Margraf J, Zlomuzica A.The association between fear extinction, the ability to accomplish exposure and exposure therapy outcome in specific phobia.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):4288. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-61004-3
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Windholz G.Ivan P. Pavlov: An overview of his life and psychological work.Am Psychol.1997;52(9):941–946. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.52.9.941Bloom CM, Post RJ, Mazick J, et al.A discriminated conditioned punishment model of phobia.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2013;9:1239–1248. doi:10.2147/NDT.S49886Deacon BJ.The biomedical model of mental disorder: a critical analysis of its validity, utility, and effects on psychotherapy research.Clin Psychol Rev. 2013;33(7):846–861. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.09.007Loken EK, Hettema JM, Aggen SH, Kendler KS.The structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for fears and phobias.Psychol Med. 2014;44(11):2375–2384. doi:10.1017/S0033291713003012Farach FJ, Pruitt LD, Jun JJ, Jerud AB, Zoellner LA, Roy-Byrne PP.Pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders: current treatments and future directions.J Anxiety Disord. 2012;26(8):833–843. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2012.07.009Raeder F, Merz CJ, Margraf J, Zlomuzica A.The association between fear extinction, the ability to accomplish exposure and exposure therapy outcome in specific phobia.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):4288. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-61004-3
Windholz G.Ivan P. Pavlov: An overview of his life and psychological work.Am Psychol.1997;52(9):941–946. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.52.9.941
Bloom CM, Post RJ, Mazick J, et al.A discriminated conditioned punishment model of phobia.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2013;9:1239–1248. doi:10.2147/NDT.S49886
Deacon BJ.The biomedical model of mental disorder: a critical analysis of its validity, utility, and effects on psychotherapy research.Clin Psychol Rev. 2013;33(7):846–861. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.09.007
Loken EK, Hettema JM, Aggen SH, Kendler KS.The structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for fears and phobias.Psychol Med. 2014;44(11):2375–2384. doi:10.1017/S0033291713003012
Farach FJ, Pruitt LD, Jun JJ, Jerud AB, Zoellner LA, Roy-Byrne PP.Pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders: current treatments and future directions.J Anxiety Disord. 2012;26(8):833–843. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2012.07.009
Raeder F, Merz CJ, Margraf J, Zlomuzica A.The association between fear extinction, the ability to accomplish exposure and exposure therapy outcome in specific phobia.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):4288. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-61004-3
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