One day, as your professor is driving to work, another driver runs through a red light and hits his car. The professor is shaken up but survives the incident. The next time he starts to enter the intersection, however, he becomes nervous and fearful. Soon he starts going to work via another route to avoid the intersection, even though this route adds 20 minutes to his commute each way.According to the principles of classical conditioning and operant conditioning, why does the professor become scared of the previously harmless intersection? What can he do about this, as going via the other route is very time consuming? Be specific. Break down the situation into its parts and show how the principles of learning apply.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

While answers may vary, they should include an explanation of how the fear of the intersection is learned through the association of the intersection with the accident (classical conditioning). Further, the professor's repeated avoidance of the intersection is reinforced by reducing his anxiety and fear each time he avoids it (operant conditioning). Students should include an explanation of how the professor might use behavior modification to begin being able to use the intersection again.