Dr.Cortese conducts a neuroimaging study of patients undergoing systematic desensitization to treat a fear of high places.The images should show that activity in the ___ occurs when patients are ___.
A) hypothalamus; experiencing fear
B) prefrontal cortex; experiencing fear
C) amygdala; undergoing extinction
D) prefrontal cortex; undergoing extinction

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex is known to be involved in extinction learning, which is the goal of systematic desensitization. The amygdala, on the other hand, is involved in fear processing, but the goal of the treatment is to reduce fear responses. Therefore, it is expected that activity in the prefrontal cortex will be observed when patients are undergoing extinction, rather than experiencing fear.

DrCortese Conducts a Neuroimaging Study of Patients Undergoing Systematic Desensitization