Final answer:
Navi's fearful response to turning left after an accident is an example of classical conditioning, with her nervous system associating the turn with the negative experience. Effective strategies to overcome her fear include exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. The amygdala plays a key role in the fear response, and Navi's past experiences significantly influence her current behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Navi's reaction to turning left after an accident can be analyzed in terms of classical conditioning. Originally, turning left at an intersection was a neutral stimulus for Navi, but after getting into an accident, which is an unconditioned stimulus that naturally causes stress and fear (the unconditioned response), turning left has become a conditioned stimulus that invokes a conditioned response of fear and anxiety. This is because her nervous system has associated the turning motion with the negative experience of the accident.
To overcome Navi's fear, we could use strategies such as exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques. Regularly practicing turning left in a safe and controlled environment could help desensitize Navi to the stimulus. Cognitive restructuring could also aid in altering the negative thought patterns associated with the fear.
The amygdala plays a crucial role in mediating fear responses. It processes emotions and is activated during fear responses, signaling the rest of the body through the autonomic nervous system to prepare for a 'fight-or-flight' response. This involves physiological changes like increased heart rate, which is what Navi experiences.
Previous experiences impact current behavior significantly. Navi's prior accident has conditioned her to respond with fear to the act of turning left, showing how past events can trigger automatic responses in present situations. Understanding the impact of previous experiences can be helpful in devising therapeutic interventions to address conditioned fears.