[Cognitive and learning theory aspects of anxiety (author's transl)]

Abstract

The learning model of anxiety by Mowrer and Miller has significantly influenced the development of theories in clinical psychology and psychosomatic medicine as well as the development of behavioral therapies. This concept, however, is insufficient in explaining factors effective in psychophysiological conditioning experiments, behavioral therapies, and in animal experiments of anxiety conditioning. This study discusses new learning theoretical concepts intending to explain the development and persistence of anxiety states. Therewith the various effects of cognitive, psychobiological, and situational factors on each other are of special significance. Therefore in studying the causes of anxiety states in clinical psychology the different components of anxiety dealt with in these theories have to be considered.