Question

When an alcoholic is given a mild electric shock and asked to smell the alcohol repeatedly to form an association between the two, this form of treatment is known as:

• A. Negative Reinforcement
• B. Aversive Conditioning
• C. Systematic Desensitization
• D. Differential Reinforcement

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To solve the given problem, we need to understand the concepts associated with each option: 

Negative Reinforcement: This involves strengthening a behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus when the desired behavior occurs. It is not directly related to creating an aversion to a stimulus.

Aversive Conditioning: This is a behavioral technique in which an unpleasant stimulus is paired with an undesirable behavior with the goal of reducing or eliminating that behavior. In this case, the unpleasant stimulus (electric shock) is paired with the behavior of consuming alcohol, aiming to diminish the desire for alcohol.

Systematic Desensitization: A method used to reduce phobic responses through gradual exposure to the fear-inducing stimulus paired with relaxation techniques. This does not involve creating negative associations through unpleasant stimuli.

Differential Reinforcement: Involves reinforcing a specific behavior while withholding reinforcement for other behaviors. It is not associated with pairing an unpleasant stimulus to reduce an undesirable behavior.

Based on these explanations, the correct form of treatment being described is Aversive Conditioning, where the goal is to create an aversion to alcohol through the association with the unpleasant experience of mild electric shocks.

Answer 2

The treatment described involves Aversive Conditioning, a behavioral technique used to reduce unwanted behaviors by associating them with unpleasant stimuli.

In this case, the alcoholic is exposed to the smell of alcohol while receiving a mild electric shock, creating a negative association with alcohol consumption. This method aims to deter the individual from wanting to consume alcohol by pairing it with an aversive stimulus (the shock).

Other options:

Negative Reinforcement: Involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase a desired behavior, which does not apply here, as the treatment is not about removing something negative but adding an unpleasant stimulus.

Systematic Desensitization: A technique used to reduce anxiety by gradually exposing individuals to the feared object or context, which is not the goal in this scenario, as the aim is to reduce a specific behavior (alcohol consumption).

Differential Reinforcement: Involves reinforcing a desired behavior while withholding reinforcement for unwanted behaviors, which is not the method described here, as aversive conditioning works through negative associations rather than reinforcement.

The correct method used in this scenario is Aversive Conditioning, which associates the unwanted behavior with an unpleasant stimulus to decrease its occurrence.

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