Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

In flooding, what is the main goal of continuously presenting a stimulus?

1. To increase anxiety

2. To provoke a physical response

3. To help the client unlearn the anxiety response

4. To induce fear

The correct answer is: To help the client unlearn the anxiety response

The primary goal of flooding is to help the client unlearn the anxiety response associated with a specific stimulus by continuously presenting that stimulus without any negative consequences. This therapeutic technique is grounded in classical conditioning principles, where repeated exposure to the feared object or situation allows the individual to experience the stimulus in a safe environment. As the client engages with the stimulus over time, they learn that it is not as threatening as their anxiety suggests. This approach aims to help clients confront their fears directly in a controlled setting, which can lead to decreasing their anxiety over time. The process can facilitate emotional processing and promote desensitization, ultimately contributing to a reduction in anxiety symptoms. The focus on unlearning the anxiety response distinguishes flooding from other potential goals, such as increasing anxiety or provoking a physical response, which do not align with the therapeutic purpose of the technique. Inducing fear also diverges from the objective, as flooding seeks to mitigate fear rather than amplify it.