A therapist tells a patient who is afraid of elevators that his rapid breathing while on an elevator is not due to fear but is a natural consequence of too little oxygen in a small,enclosed space.With this new interpretation of his arousal,the patient no longer dreads elevators.The reduction in the patient's fear is best understood in terms of
A) the Cannon-Bard Theory.
B) the two-factor theory.
C) the James-Lange theory.
D) sympathetic nervous system activity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The two-factor theory states that emotions are composed of both physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation of that arousal. In this case, the therapist provided the patient with a new cognitive interpretation of his arousal, which led to a reduction in fear.

A Therapist Tells a Patient Who Is Afraid of Elevators