Phobias, anxiety, anxiety that paralyzes . . . The mechanisms of fear are not as mysterious as you probably think, in fact, follow very specific guidelines that can allow you to reduce it and even deactivate it for a more fulfilling life. article, we explain how to proceed.
Although Mowrer’s theory of the two factors was articulated in 1939, it remains one of the most interesting models for two reasons: the first is that it helps to understand the mechanisms of fear and how anxiety disorders and phobias occur; the second is that it gives us a valuable starting point to face many of these manifestations in which fear limits well-being.
- To speak of anguish is to refer.
- Of course.
- To fears and anxieties.
- No dimension is as complex as fear itself.
- And contrary to the words of Horcio.
- Who lives in fear will never be free.
- Few arguments are so true.
- On the other hand.
- Nothing is as typical of the human being as feeding worries and fears.
It makes sense, after all, they are part of human nature and act as survival mechanisms. However, they can sometimes lead people to pathological states of helplessness. Panic disorders, obsessions and phobias orchestrate the daily lives of thousands of people and prevent them from living a normal life.
They are oppressive, exhausting and difficult to explain to someone who does not experience them. Understanding the most basic mechanisms of fear can help you unmask your worst enemy. Let’s go a little further.
Mowrer’s two-factor theory was articulated by Orval Hobart Mowrer in 1939. This American psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Illinois is known for his research on behavioral therapy. One of his interests was to know where phobias come from and why they occur. so hard to remove when they appear.
It is not necessary, for example, to explain to a person who fears planes that the likelihood of dying from a traffic light is higher than in a plane crash, the mind clings to certain ideas and keeps them in time until we completely change our behavior. Mowrer was one of the pioneers in this field, even thanks to him, we know the mechanisms behind many anxiety processes.
According to Mowrer’s theory of the two factors, fears, phobias and anxiety disorders arise from two phases.
In the example above, you can see two dimensions that define Mowrer’s two-factor theory.
Dr. Orval Hobart Mowrer has focused his research on behavioralism and established that the first process involving the emergence of phobias and many anxiety disorders is classical conditioning:
After suffering the impact of conventional conditioning (a specific stimulus acquires a painful connotation), it would be enough to prevent this situation from going back to normal, however, when it comes to phobias and anxiety, the brain works differently.
This is where the second phase comes in, that is, instrumental conditioning.
Let’s continue with the example of the traumatic workplace. If the person were being harassed by his peers, it would be enough to leave that job to stop his suffering, wouldn’t it?
Therefore, the person avoids not only the originalversive stimulus, but anything close to him.
As Giorgio Nardone points out, “Fear of fear becomes courage and courage, while fear avoided always becomes panic. “
Mowrer’s theory of the two factors shows the irrational basis of many fears and how they prevent an individual from living a normal life. There’s nothing wrong with running away from what hurts, which is a real threat. However, many fears and phobias do not make them feel or guarantee their survival. On the contrary, some fears only limit your life.
Exposure techniques are ideal for dealing with these psychological realities, putting yourself in the face of terrible phobic stimulus and rationalizing that fear is always a good step, as well as a brief strategic therapy is also a good resource to unlock everything that limits you and plunges you into your fears.
Fighting your fears is your responsibility. Use the tools you have for this.