A behavioristic technique in which the goal is to weaken or eliminate a learned response by pairing it with a stronger or desirable response.

A behavioristic technique in which the goal is to weaken or eliminate a learned response by pairing it with a stronger or desirable response.

• A. Extinction
• B. Counterconditioning
• C. Punishment
• D. Flooding

Answer: (B)

Counterconditioning is a behavioral technique where the cue that elicits a learned response is paired with a stronger or desirable response, so the old reaction is replaced by a new, more adaptive one. The idea is to create an incompatible or competing response that diminishes the original behavior over time. For example, pairing a fearful stimulus with relaxation or positive reinforcement can lead to calmness in place of fear when the cue is encountered. This differs from extinction (removing reinforcement to weaken a response), punishment (adding an aversive consequence to reduce behavior), or flooding (exposing someone to the full fear-inducing stimulus).

Counterconditioning is a behavioral technique where the cue that elicits a learned response is paired with a stronger or desirable response, so the old reaction is replaced by a new, more adaptive one. The idea is to create an incompatible or competing response that diminishes the original behavior over time. For example, pairing a fearful stimulus with relaxation or positive reinforcement can lead to calmness in place of fear when the cue is encountered. This differs from extinction (removing reinforcement to weaken a response), punishment (adding an aversive consequence to reduce behavior), or flooding (exposing someone to the full fear-inducing stimulus).