Final answer:
No, direct experience with a bad event is not necessary to develop a phobia; it can result from observational learning or information transmission. Phobias can also arise from classical conditioning, such as in the case of taste aversion, where illness following consumption leads to a lasting aversion without repeated negative experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
No, a person does not have to experience a bad event directly to develop a phobia. Phobias can be learned through observational learning, where one observes others reacting fearfully to an object or situation, or through transmission of information where one is repeatedly told about the dangers of a particular object or situation.
This phenomenon is understood within the framework of classical conditioning and the broader context of associative learning. Consider the case of taste aversion in classical conditioning. Research by Garcia and Koelling suggested that this response might be an evolutionary adaptation; it enables organisms to learn to avoid harmful foods quickly. This kind of learning doesn't always require a direct negative experience with the food item itself but can be based on a single instance of illness following consumption, even if the time between eating and feeling sick is extended.