Eileen works in a crowded downtown neighborhood. She constantly worries that her car will be stolen while she is at work, and repeatedly goes back and checks to see that it is locked before finally arriving at the office, frequently late. Her therapist explains that returning to her car so often is a way to reduce the anxiety created by her obsessive thoughts. This is a(n)____.

Question

Eileen works in a crowded downtown neighborhood. She constantly worries that her car will be stolen while she is at work, and repeatedly goes back and checks to see that it is locked before finally arriving at the office, frequently late. Her therapist explains that returning to her car so often is a way to reduce the anxiety created by her obsessive thoughts. This is a(n)____. ​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The therapist's explanation is based on operant conditioning, where Eileen's behavior of checking her car is reinforced by the reduction of anxiety, thus increasing the likelihood of repeating the behavior.

Eileen Works in a Crowded Downtown Neighborhood