Can people born with some type of phobia? Psychology Essay

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Can People be born with Phobia?
Specific types of phobias can be inborn. Significant research has been conducted on the acquisition of specific phobias. A majority of researchers indicate that fear is associated with information learning, indicating that an individual show of fear is as a result of past traumatic experience with that particular object or condition. However, according to Poulton and Menzies, individuals could develop a phobia without any traumatic experience (197). This theory has been approved by Ohman and Mineka, who indicate that the hippocampus and the amygdala, which are responsible for performing cognitive and emotional functions respectively, allow an individual to automatically respond to certain threats (483). This implies that an individual has an innate ability to react to certain fears. Such conditions are also common in newborn babies, who react differently in certain conditions.
Scientists also believe that some phobias are genetic. Based on a study conducted by the Journal of Nature and Neuroscience, it is possible for ancestors to pass down their fears through DNA (Anxiety.org). Although the study was conducted on mice, the biological and behavioral resemblance that humans have with the species indicates that similar occurrences are applicable to people as well. Furthermore, studies indicate that memories can be passed down from one generation to another through genetic switches. This biological inheritance of information means that a child can be born with specific phobia. Therefore, the fear of certain animals and insects can be considered as a defense mechanism that has been passed down from one generation to another through family genes by ancestors who previously had traumatic encounters with the insects or animals.
The concept of innate phobia can also be associated with evolution. Almost every individual is afraid of life-threatening conditions. This automatic reaction to such situations is attributed to our...