Jeffrey has a phobia of rabbits, but loves eating warm porridge.So, his mother gradually exposes Jeffrey to rabbits while he is doing an enjoyable activity, such as eating his porridge.She starts out with small rabbits for a few seconds and then exposes him for longer periods of time and with larger rabbits.She then gradually moves the rabbit closer to Jeffrey while he is eating his porridge.Jeffrey's mother is using the behavioral technique known as

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Jeffrey's mother is using the technique of systematic desensitization, which gradually increases the exposure to the feared stimulus while pairing it with a positive experience (eating porridge in this case). This is a common behavioral technique used to treat phobias. Aversion therapy involves pairing a negative experience with a behavior that one wants to decrease, such as using a nasty tasting substance to help someone quit smoking. Reality therapy focuses on helping individuals take responsibility and make choices to improve their lives, while eye-movement desensitization is a technique used to treat PTSD and other traumatic experiences. None of these other options fit the scenario described in the question.

Jeffrey Has a Phobia of Rabbits, but Loves Eating Warm