4.3.2.2 Extinction of Fear Response

• What happens to the conditioned response (CR) during extinction?

  The association between CS and CR weakens
• What is a conditioned response (CR)?

  A learned response to a conditioned stimulus (CS)
• What does a fear response involve?

  Both body and mind reactions
• What is flooding in behavioral therapy?

  Intense exposure to a feared object
• What are the key differences between flooding and systematic desensitization?

  • Exposure Intensity:
  • Flooding: High, immediate
  • Systematic Desensitization: Gradual
  • Use of Relaxation:
  • Flooding: Not typically used
  • Systematic Desensitization: Essential
  • Patient Control:
  • Flooding: Limited
  • Systematic Desensitization: Greater
  • Treatment Duration:
  • Flooding: Shorter, fewer sessions
  • Systematic Desensitization: Longer, more sessions
• What are the key components of classical conditioning?

  • Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
  • Unconditioned response (UCR)
  • Neutral stimulus (NS)
  • Conditioned stimulus (CS)
  • Conditioned response (CR)
• What happens to a neutral stimulus (NS) after pairing with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

  It becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS)
• What is the role of repeated exposure in extinction?

  It weakens the connection between stimuli
• How does repeated exposure affect the fear response?

  It causes the fear response to fade away
• What occurs after the initial fear during flooding therapy?

  No harm occurs, leading to fear extinction
• What is a fear response?

  Reaction to feeling threatened or scared
• What physical symptoms might occur during a fear response?

  Increased sweating and heart rate
• What happens to the fear response as habituation occurs?

  It decreases as the threat is recognized
• What happens to the fear response when flashing lights appear without the loud noise?

  The fear response to the lights diminishes
• What is the role of intense exposure in flooding therapy?

  It breaks the association between stimulus and response
• What happens to the conditioned stimulus when it is presented without the unconditioned stimulus?

  The connection between them weakens over time
• What is a lasting effect of flooding therapy?

  It permanently alters the fear response
• How do physical and mental reactions differ in a fear response?

  Physical reactions include sweating; mental reactions include anxiety
• What is the process of extinction in classical conditioning?

  1. Present the conditioned stimulus (CS) repeatedly
  2. Do not present the unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
  3. Observe the weakening of the conditioned response (CR)
• What is the anticipated outcome of flooding therapy?

  Reduction in anxiety
• What is a benefit of using flooding for fear response extinction?

  It provides quick and effective fear reduction
• How does the mind react during a fear response?

  Feelings of anxiety and desire to escape
• Who developed Flooding?

  Thomas Stampfl, 1967
• What does an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) do?

  It naturally triggers an unconditioned response (UCR)
• What is the process of classical conditioning?

  Associating an unconditioned stimulus with a neutral stimulus
• What is the definition of Flooding?

  Exposing people to the highest level of a stimulus that triggers anxiety and stress.
• What type of therapy is aversion therapy based on?

  Classical conditioning
• What is extinction in classical conditioning?

  When the CS is presented without the UCS repeatedly
• How does flooding differ from systematic desensitization?

  Flooding is more direct and intense than desensitization
• What does aversion therapy aim to target?

  Unwanted behaviors like addictions
• What is a neutral stimulus (NS) in classical conditioning?


  A stimulus that initially does not trigger a response
• How might flooding be applied to someone with a spider phobia?

  Locking them in a room with spiders
• How does flooding differ from systematic desensitization?

  Flooding uses immediate exposure, not gradual
• What is the role of harm in flooding therapy?

  The feared object is presented without causing harm
• How does repeated exposure in flooding lead to reduced anxiety?

  It breaks the association between stimulus and fear
• What is a pro of Flooding?

  It takes less sessions than some other treatments and can be helpful for treating anxiety and sometimes PTSD.
• How does flooding differ from aversion therapy?

  Flooding exposes fears; aversion pairs behaviors with unpleasant stimuli
• What is a con of Aversion Therapy?

  Side effects from the therapy can be very unpleasant and can increase anxiety and lead to PTSD.
• What is a con of Flooding?

  Difficult for people to stick with the treatment plan and it does not always work for treating PTSD.
• In what context can habituation occur related to fear?

  Repeated exposure to a feared object