After Harriet was in a bicycle accident, she became fearful of riding bicycles. Which theory of the development of phobias would explain her fearing of riding bicycles?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning theory states that phobias develop through the pairing of a stimulus that initially does not elicit fear (the conditioned stimulus, or CS) with a negative experience or stimulus that naturally elicits fear (the unconditioned stimulus, or US). In Harriet's case, the bicycle accident would be the US, and riding bicycles would be the CS that she now associates with fear.

After Harriet Was in a Bicycle Accident, She Became Fearful