Question 3 - Rationale For Exposure

Question 1

How fear is maintained

Answer 1

• threat nearby is appraised as dangerous
• increase in fear thoughts and sensations
• escape is typical behavior
• decrease in fear thoughts and sensations
• escape is reinforced in the future
• link is strengthened between feared stimuli and appraisal as dangerous
• next time trigger is encountered, it is viewed as dangerous
• cycle repeats

Question 2

What maintains anxiety

Answer 2

• distant perceived threat
• increase in anxious thoughts and adverse sensations
• avoidance is typical behavior
• anxiety subsides
• anxiety is reinforced in the future
• link is strengthened between perceived threat and appraisal
• cycle continues

Question 3

Rationale for exposure

Answer 3

• break cycle by facing feared stimuli
• learn that appraisals do not occur or can be managed
• Learn that fear/anxiety is time-limited and manageable and will go away on its own
• decreases fear/anxiety in the long run