Learning Theory Paradigms

Depending on the level of knowledge, this chapter is designed as an introduction or review of the basic learning theories and their practical references. It prepares for the aspects of possible causes and maintenance of anxiety disorders, which are relevant in later chapters for short-term therapy of fears: from the conditioned reflex, to operant learning, to observational learning and relevant cognitive causation models such as dyscognitions, self-regulation, self-management. The focus is on avoidance behavior, negative reinforcement, and operantly reinforcing social systems, among other things.