Mary, who has a great fear of flying, has been instructed by her behavior therapist to take a brief ride in an actual airplane. If Mary follows her therapist's instructions, then she'll be engaged in ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In vivo exposure involves facing a feared situation or object in real life, rather than through imagination or virtual reality. Mary's brief ride in an actual airplane would be an example of in vivo exposure. A is incorrect because imaginal exposure involves imagining a feared situation or object, rather than experiencing it in real life. B is incorrect because aversive exposure involves pairing a feared object or situation with a negative consequence, such as a shock, in order to reduce the fear response. D is incorrect because virtual reality exposure involves using technology to simulate a feared situation or object, rather than experiencing it in real life.

Mary, Who Has a Great Fear of Flying, Has Been