Desensitization is designed to replace anxiety-producing stimulus with which response?

Desensitization is designed to replace anxiety-producing stimulus with which response?

• A. Relaxation
• B. Arousal
• C. Anger
• D. Boredom

Answer: (A)

Desensitization works by replacing the anxious reaction to a feared stimulus with a calm, relaxation response. In systematic desensitization, you learn to enter a relaxed state and then face the anxiety-provoking cue gradually while staying relaxed. This relies on reciprocal inhibition: you can’t feel relaxed and anxious at the same time, so the relaxation response becomes the pattern that takes over as exposure progresses. Arousal would keep the nervous system activated and maintain fear, while anger or boredom don’t counter the anxiety in the therapeutic way this approach aims for. So the designed replacement is relaxation.

Desensitization works by replacing the anxious reaction to a feared stimulus with a calm, relaxation response. In systematic desensitization, you learn to enter a relaxed state and then face the anxiety-provoking cue gradually while staying relaxed. This relies on reciprocal inhibition: you can’t feel relaxed and anxious at the same time, so the relaxation response becomes the pattern that takes over as exposure progresses. Arousal would keep the nervous system activated and maintain fear, while anger or boredom don’t counter the anxiety in the therapeutic way this approach aims for. So the designed replacement is relaxation.