O. Hobart Mowrer

O. Hobart Mowrer was a prominent American psychologist known for his work on learning and behavior, especially in understanding how fears and phobias develop. He proposed that these anxieties result from classical conditioning (associating a neutral stimulus with fear) and maintained through avoidance behaviors, explained through his "two-process theory." Mowrer emphasized the importance of understanding these processes to treat phobias effectively, often using systematic desensitization. His insights contributed significantly to behavioral therapy, focusing on changing learned behaviors to reduce anxiety and improve mental health.