Final answer:
The statement that subjective fears are based on a patient's experiences and the memories of those experiences is true. These fears can be influenced by both accurate and false memories and are central to the understanding of psychological treatment and care.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False: Subjective fears, also known as acquired fears, are based on the patient's experiences and the memories of those experiences. The statement is True. Subjective or acquired fears arise from particular experiences and the individual's recollection of those events. False memories, as investigated by Elizabeth Loftus, show that it's possible for individuals to confidently believe in events that never occurred or remember them inaccurately. This relates to the concept of subjective fears in that an individual's fear can be based on distorted recollections of experiences. Additionally, the phenomenon of fear acquisition through conditioning, as seen in the famous case of Little Albert, reinforces the idea that fears can be learned and are not solely innate.
Cognitive psychologists like Öhman and Mineka discuss the evolved module of fear and fear learning, indicating that some fears are evolved responses while others, including subjective fears, are acquired through one's experiences. Another psychological aspect is the social learning of fear, as described by Olsson & Phelps, which shows that fears can also be learned through observing others. Understanding subjective fears is crucial within the field of psychology, especially in therapeutic settings where distinguishing between real and false memories can have significant implications for treatment and patient care.
Unlike objective symptoms which can be clinically confirmed, subjective symptoms like fear are based on individual experience and perception. They exist within the realm of subjective experience, much like psychological symptoms, which can be influenced by our memories and biases.