Which technique involves gradual exposure to feared stimuli?

The correct answer is systematic desensitization, which is a behavioral technique commonly used in therapy to help individuals gradually confront and reduce their fear of specific stimuli or situations. This technique typically involves three main components: relaxation training, the creation of a fear hierarchy, and gradual exposure to the feared stimuli, starting with the least anxiety-provoking and progressively moving to the more challenging ones.

Through systematic desensitization, clients learn to associate relaxation techniques with the previously feared stimuli, thereby decreasing their anxiety responses over time. This method is effective because it allows individuals to face their fears in a controlled manner, leading to an eventual desensitization to those fears without overwhelming distress.

In contrast, positive reinforcement focuses on encouraging desired behaviors through rewards, while classical conditioning involves learning through association but does not specifically address the gradual exposure to fears. Operant conditioning is more about modifying behavior through rewards and punishments, rather than specifically targeting fears through exposure techniques. Therefore, systematic desensitization is uniquely suited for the gradual exposure to feared stimuli, facilitating a reduction in anxiety and fear responses effectively.