Why do people with phobias continue to avoid the thing they fear?
A) Avoidance is reinforced by anxiety reduction.
B) There is something wrong with their fight or flight system.
C) They are cognitively unable to make any other decision due to their disorder.
D) Their low self-esteem causes them to choose not to fight their fear.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

People with phobias have a strong desire to avoid the thing they fear because it provides temporary relief from their overwhelming anxiety. Avoidance is reinforced by anxiety reduction, so they continue to avoid the feared stimulus to prevent anxiety from overwhelming them. This avoidance behavior can make the phobia worse over time because it reinforces the idea that the feared stimulus is extremely dangerous or threatening. Thus, the best choice is A: Avoidance is reinforced by anxiety reduction.

Why Do People with Phobias Continue to Avoid the Thing