"A Functionalist Perspective on Social Anxiety and Avoidant Personality . . ." by Peter J. LaFreniere

Psychology Faculty Scholarship

Document Type

Article

Title

A Functionalist Perspective on Social Anxiety and Avoidant Personality Disorder

Authors

Peter J. LaFreniere, University of Maine - MainFollow

Publication Title

Development and Psychopathology

Publication Date

11-2009

First Page

1065

Last Page

1082

Issue Number

Special Issue 4

Volume Number

Abstract/ Summary

A developmental-evolutionary perspective is used to synthesize basic research from the neurosciences, ethology, genetics, and developmental psychology into a unified framework for understanding the nature and origins of social anxiety and avoidant personality disorder. Evidence is presented that social anxiety disorder (social phobia) and avoidant personality disorder may be alternate conceptualizations of the same disorder because they have virtually the same symptoms and genetic basis, and respond to the same pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic interventions. A functionalist perspective on social anxiety is formulated to (a) explain the origins of normative states of anxiety, (b) outline developmental pathways in the transition from normative anxiety to social anxiety and avoidant personality disorders, and (c) account for the processes leading to gender-differentiated patterns of anxiety-related disorders after puberty.

Repository Citation

LaFreniere, Peter J., "A Functionalist Perspective on Social Anxiety and Avoidant Personality Disorder" (2009). Psychology Faculty Scholarship. 3.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/psy_facpub/3

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Lafreniere, P. (2009). A Functionalist Perspective on Social Anxiety and Avoidant Personality Disorder. Development and Psychopathology, 21, 1065-1082. Available on publisher's site at http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S0954579409990046