Forsyth, J. P., Eifert, G. H., & Barrios, V. (2006). Fear conditioning in an emotion regulation context: A fresh perspective on the origins of anxiety disorders. In M. G. Craske, D. Hermans, & D. Vansteenwegen (Eds.), Fear and learning: From basic processes to clinical applications (pp. 133-153). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
This chapter outlines a new view of fear learning and the anxiety disorders. Cast within emerging emotion regulation research and theory, it is argued that fear learning itself is inadequate as a model of anxiety disorders. We argue that fear learning can become problematic in the context of experiential avoidance and excessive emotion regulation strategies. Basic and applied implications of this account are offered, with a focus on newer acceptance-based strategies that characterize third-wave behavior therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.