Two - Factor Theory of Learning: Application to Maladaptive Behavior

Two-factor theory of avoidance remains one of the most infl uential theories of learning. It addresses a question of what works as a reinforcement of avoidance behavior, and proposes that: 1. an organism associates stimuli in the environment with aversive stimuli, and this allows these stimuli to evoke fear; 2. the avoidance response is reinforced by eliminating these warning stimuli or by escaping from them, and therefore causes fear reduction. The theory stresses interplay between stimulus learning (classical conditioning) and response learning (operant conditioning through fear reduction). In the article, the explanation of some clinical problems through two-factor theory is addressed.