Donald once accidentally fell into a swimming pool and almost drowned. After that incident, he developed an intense phobia of water and refused to go near swimming pools. In an effort to treat Donald's phobia, a psychologist gradually motivated him to go near swimming pools. After many sessions of having nonthreatening experiences of being in water, Donald overcame his phobia. This scenario exemplifies ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scenario describes the process of extinction, where Donald's phobia of water is gradually reduced through repeated nonthreatening exposures to the feared stimulus (water/swimming pools) without any negative outcomes, leading to the decrease and eventual disappearance of the phobic response.

Donald Once Accidentally Fell into a Swimming Pool and Almost