By completing rituals, individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder believe they can neutralize the threat of something bad. This behaviour is maintained through which of the following behavioural mechanisms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement is the behavioural mechanism that maintains the completion of rituals in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder. By completing the rituals, they make the anxiety or fear associated with the obsession go away, which is a form of negative reinforcement. This increases the likelihood of future ritualistic behaviour. A is not the best choice as completing rituals does not increase pleasure or reward behaviour. B is not the best choice as extinction refers to the decrease in behaviour that occurs when a previously reinforced behaviour is no longer reinforced. C is not the best choice as stimulus discrimination refers to the ability to differentiate between different stimuli and respond appropriately.

By Completing Rituals, Individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Believe They Can