What type of response does counter conditioning aim to establish?

• A. A positive response
• B. A negative response
• C. A neutral response
• D. An adaptive response

Answer: (D)

Counter conditioning is a behavioral therapy technique that aims to change an individual's emotional response to a stimulus. It typically involves pairing the feared or undesirable response with a new, more adaptive response. The goal of counter conditioning is to replace the maladaptive response, such as fear or anxiety, with a more positive or acceptable reaction.

By creating new associations through reinforcement, counter conditioning encourages the establishment of responses that are more adaptive to the environment. For instance, in a scenario where a person has a fear of dogs, counter conditioning would involve introducing positive experiences with dogs, thereby fostering an adaptive response that makes the individual feel comfortable or happy around them.

This approach emphasizes the need for clients to develop responses that enable them to handle situations more effectively, as opposed to falling back on fear or anxiety. Thus, establishing an adaptive response is key to achieving long-term behavioral change through this method.