Arthur owns a restaurant in a neighborhood controlled by organized crime. Local merchants often pay "protection" money to gang members in order to avoid risking their businesses. When a gang representative comes to Arthur's restaurant at the beginning of every month, Arthur hands over an envelope full of cash and has a pleasant conversation with the gang member. By Arthur's actions, it would appear as if he has no fear and yet continues to pay money to the gang. What would Levis (1989) suggest about Arthur's apparent nonchalance?
A) If Arthur truly had no fear, he would not continue to pay money to the gang members.
B) Arthur is less fearful as a result of experience.
C) Arthur truly has no fear of the actions of the gang.
D) Both a and b are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Levis (1989) suggests that fear conditioning can be reduced through repeated exposures, which can explain why Arthur appears nonchalant despite continuing to pay protection money. This indicates both that if Arthur truly had no fear, he wouldn't continue paying (A), and his reduced fear could be due to habituation from repeated experiences (B).

Arthur Owns a Restaurant in a Neighborhood Controlled by Organized