Researchers found that people easily acquire a conditioned fear response to pictures of snakes and spiders when the images were paired with a mild electric shock. However, people did NOT easily acquire a conditioned fear response to pictures of flowers and mushrooms when these images were paired with a mild electric shock. Which perspective provides the best explanation for this finding?
A) the cognitive perspective
B) the behaviorist perspective
C) the Pavlovian perspective
D) the evolutionary perspective

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The evolutionary perspective provides the best explanation for this finding as it suggests that humans have evolved a fear response to potential threats like snakes and spiders as a survival mechanism. Flowers and mushrooms are not typically associated with danger in human evolution, so there is no innate fear response to them.

Researchers Found That People Easily Acquire a Conditioned Fear Response