The initial process in Mowrer’s two-process theory of avoidance involves negative reinforcement resulting from the reduction of fear. negative punishment resulting from the reduction of fear. classical conditioning of an approach response. classical conditioning of a fear response.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: classical conditioning of a fear response.
Explanation:
Mowrer’s two-process theory of avoidance learning explains how individuals learn to avoid situations associated with unpleasant or harmful outcomes. According to this theory, the learning process occurs in two distinct stages:
1. Classical Conditioning of a Fear Response (Initial Process):
In the first stage, a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an aversive or harmful event through classical conditioning. For example, if a light or sound (neutral stimulus) is repeatedly paired with an electric shock (unconditioned stimulus), the organism learns to associate the two. Over time, the previously neutral stimulus alone triggers fear or anxiety (conditioned response), even without the shock occurring.
This stage is essential because it creates a fear response to a cue or signal that predicts danger. The fear response is automatic and emotional, learned through the repeated pairing of the signal with the aversive event.
2. Operant Conditioning through Negative Reinforcement (Second Process):
In the second stage, the organism learns an avoidance behavior that prevents the feared event from occurring. When the organism performs a specific action (such as moving to a safe area) after detecting the warning signal, the feared event (shock) is avoided, and fear is reduced. This reduction of fear acts as a form of negative reinforcement, strengthening the avoidance behavior.
It is important to note that the initial process does not involve negative reinforcement or punishment. Those concepts belong to the second process, where the avoidance behavior is maintained through consequences. The first process strictly refers to how the organism learns to fear a stimulus through classical conditioning.
In summary, the first step in Mowrer’s theory is the classical conditioning of a fear response, laying the foundation for later avoidance behaviors to develop.
