Toward a better basic understanding of operant-respondent interactions: Translational research on phobias.

Abstract

A promising area of study that emerged from the early days of the experimental analysis of behavior (EAB) was the study of aversive control. However, research on this topic has declined and has largely been neglected in contemporary experimental psychopathology. To address the challenge of promoting growth in this area, this paper proposes a revival of basic research by incorporating the examination of complex human problems such as anxiety disorders (e.g., phobias) to increase our understanding of basic behavioral processes and improve the efficacy of our applied treatments by first considering fundamental operant-respondent interactions underlying phobias. Past and future work involving operant-respondent interactions are discussed as well as opportunities for cross-pollination with other disciplines.