Megan was afraid of dogs.She wanted to get over this fear,so she began by thinking about seeing a dog but staying calm.Then she walked past her neighbor's dog in its fenced yard until she no longer felt afraid.Next,she visited a pet store and petted a dog while the salesclerk held it.Finally,she bought herself a puppy and was no longer afraid.Megan's method is most like __________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Megan's method of gradually exposing herself to dogs while remaining calm and ultimately getting a puppy is an example of systematic desensitization, which involves gradually exposing the individual to the feared object or situation until they are no longer afraid. Aversion therapy involves associating a negative experience with the feared object or situation, flooding involves overwhelming the individual with the feared object or situation, and extinction involves ceasing to reinforce a behavior to make it go away. None of these methods fit Megan's approach as well as systematic desensitization.

Megan Was Afraid of Dogs