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What Two Phobias Are We Born With?

Published in Psychology 1 min read

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that humans are born with any specific phobias. Phobias are learned fears, usually developed through experiences or observations.

How Phobias Develop

  • Classical Conditioning: A neutral stimulus becomes associated with a negative experience, leading to fear. For example, a child who is bitten by a dog may develop a fear of all dogs.
  • Observational Learning: Observing others experiencing fear can lead to the development of a phobia. For example, if a child sees a parent expressing fear of spiders, they may develop a fear of spiders themselves.
  • Vicarious Learning: Experiencing a fear-inducing event through media or stories can also contribute to phobia development. For example, watching a scary movie about snakes may lead to a fear of snakes.

While we are not born with phobias, there are some innate fear responses that are present in infants, such as a fear of loud noises and sudden movements. However, these are not considered phobias.

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