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The hierarchic structure of fears
1Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|June 5, 1998
Summary
This study introduces a hierarchic model of fears, suggesting that both general and specific factors contribute to the development of fears and phobias. Further research is needed to fully understand these causal factors across different levels.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychopathology
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Contemporary theories propose distinct etiologic factors for fears and phobias, including general fear-proneness and specific learning experiences.
- The existence of intermediate specificity factors, common to some but not all fears, is also considered.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a hierarchic model of fears, positing that fears and phobias emerge from a hierarchy of causal factors.
- To encourage a broad research perspective encompassing factors at various levels of causal specificity.
Main Methods:
- The proposed hierarchic model is supported by factor-analytic studies of fear inventories.
- Behavioral-genetic studies of twins provide further evidence for the model.
Main Results:
- Factor-analytic and twin studies support a hierarchical structure in the etiology of fears.
- The model integrates general, intermediate, and specific causal factors in fear development.
Conclusions:
- The hierarchic model of fears provides a framework for understanding the multifaceted etiology of fears and phobias.
- Further research is essential to delineate the precise number of hierarchical levels and identify specific environmental, psychobiological, and genetic factors at each level.
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