A social learning theorist would account for phobia of lizards as a deviation from social norms. Such abnormal behaviour thoughts and emotions are the ones that differ markedly from a society’s ideas of proper functioning. Each society has norms and behaviours, emotions and thoughts that break societal norms are called abnormal. Secondly phobia of lizards can also be described as maladaptive behaviour that impinges on the well beings of the society to which an individual belongs.
Maladaptive behaviour points to existence of a problem such as a phobia. Usually, such a psychological disorder carries with it the burden of social stigma and makes people hesitant in seeking proper medical advice.
On the other hand, a psychoanalyst would perceive phobia as a result of a psychological problem that is caused by in adequacy in the way an individual thinks, feels or perceives the world. He might consider phobia of lizards as a result of psychological force operating within a person. These forces are dynamic. Abnormal behaviour such as phobia is the result of conflict between these forces (psychodynamic model). One may also consider phobia as a result of learning maladaptive behaviours (behavioural model). Or the results of cognitive problems i.e., people hold irrational and inaccurate attitudes and assumptions (cognitive model).