Studies // Cited work
Two-factor learning theory: Summary and comment
Mowrer, O. H. (1951). Two-factor learning theory: Summary and comment.
Level D Theory doi:10.1037/h0058956
What this study supports
Supports the historical claim that Mowrer set out two-factor learning theory. No abstract is available; substantive statements about the theory rest on Krypotos et al. (2015).
- Who was studied
- Not applicable: a theoretical article.
- Design
- Theory
- Level of evidence
- Cross-sectional, observational, qualitative work and narrative reviews.
Claims that rest on it
Each claim states what the site asserts, at what strength, and with what caveat.
TheoreticalLevel DConfidence MODERATE
Two-factor and later theories of avoidance learning propose that avoidance is acquired through fear learning and maintained because it ends or prevents an aversive state, which also prevents the learning that the feared outcome would not have occurred.
- Scope
- Learning theories grounded mainly in laboratory fear-conditioning research.
- Caveat
- Contemporary models add cognitive and goal-directed processes, and not all avoidance is maladaptive.
Last reviewed · Review due · avoidance-maintained-by-relief