Fears born and bred: toward a more inclusive theory of fear acquisition.
Alleged differences between associative and non-associative perspectives are sometimes more apparent than real. The non-associative model describes a pathway to fear that is complementary to associative pathways. It does not seek to usurp conditioning models as applied to evolutionary-neutral fear. We discuss vexing definitional issues surrounding what qualifies as a conditioning event and what characterises the non-associative pathway. Genetic findings are shown to be consistent with the non-associative model of fear. Following discussion of the relation between stress-diathesis models and the non-associative position we conclude by urging a developmental, life-course approach to the understanding of fear acquisition.
Poulton
Richie
R
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand. richiep@gandalf.otago.ac.nz
Menzies
Ross G
RG
D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D011582:Psychological Theory