Elwood goes to his therapist to get treatment for a phobia. His therapist uses a method for reducing phobic responses that associates images of fear-inducing objects or situations with deep muscle relaxation. This technique is called ______.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The technique described in the question is systematic desensitization, which is a specific type of exposure therapy commonly used to treat phobias. It involves gradually exposing the individual to the phobic object or situation while they are in a state of deep relaxation, thereby reducing their fear response over time. Operant conditioning involves shaping behavior through reinforcement or punishment, aversive conditioning involves associating an unpleasant stimuli with a behavior in order to decrease its occurrence, and self-control involves the use of cognitive and behavioral strategies to regulate one's own thoughts, emotions, and actions. None of these techniques specifically involve pairing fear-inducing objects with deep muscle relaxation.

Elwood Goes to His Therapist to Get Treatment for a Phobia