A variation of the counterconditioning procedure used in the treatment of Peter's fear of rabbits has been used to treat adult phobias. This variation is called:
A) systematic desensitization.
B) secondary punishers.
C) latent learning.
D) intermittent reinforcement.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The variation mentioned in the question, which involves pairing a feared stimulus with a positive one, is a key aspect of the systematic desensitization treatment for phobias in adults. Systematic desensitization involves a series of steps that gradually expose the individual to the feared stimulus in a controlled, supportive environment while promoting relaxation techniques to counteract anxiety. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Option B (secondary punishers) refers to the use of negative consequences to decrease the likelihood of a behavior, which is not relevant to the question. Option C (latent learning) refers to learning that occurs without overt reinforcement, and Option D (intermittent reinforcement) is a type of reinforcement schedule that is not relevant to the question.

A Variation of the Counterconditioning Procedure Used in the Treatment