SQ12a (M Ch 24) Fear & Anxiety Reduction – 12 points
Chapter Questions:
Use the Practice Test (Q1-4, Q9, Q14), Applications (Q1-3)
and Misapplications (Q1-3)
Miltenberger 7th Edition
Practice Test (Q1-4, Q9, Q14)
Describe how respondent behavior is involved in a fear or anxiety
1. Question problem. Provide an example, and identify the CS and CR in your
example.
Respondent behavior is an automatic, involuntary reaction to a
stimulus. In fear or anxiety problems, a neutral stimulus (NS) becomes
associated with an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US), leading to a
conditioned response (CR).
Answer Example: If a child hears a loud thunderclap (US) and feels fear (UR),
they may later feel anxious (CR) whenever they see dark clouds (CS).
CS: Dark clouds
CR: Fear/anxiety
Describe how operant behavior is involved in a fear or anxiety
2. Question problem. Provide an example. Identify the operant behavior and
describe how the behavior is reinforced.
Operant behavior is a voluntary action that is influenced by
consequences. In fear or anxiety problems, avoidance or escape
behaviors are negatively reinforced because they reduce or remove
anxiety-provoking stimuli.
Answer Example: A student with social anxiety avoids speaking in class.
Avoidance reduces their anxiety, reinforcing the behavior.
Operant behavior: Avoiding speaking in class
Reinforcement: Negative reinforcement (removal of anxiety)
, Describe the respondent behavior Trisha exhibited as part of her
3. Question fear of talking in front of the class.
Trisha likely experienced involuntary physiological responses, such as
increased heart rate, sweating, or shaking when asked to speak in front
Answer
of the class. These responses were triggered by a conditioned stimulus
(e.g., standing in front of the class).
Describe the operant behavior Allison exhibited as part of her fear
4. Question of spiders.
Allison may have avoided places where spiders are present, quickly left
rooms with spiders, or screamed for help. These behaviors would be
Answer
negatively reinforced because escaping or avoiding spiders reduces
her anxiety.
In each of the four approaches to relaxation described in
9. Question Questions 5–8, describe how muscle tension, breathing, and
attention focus are addressed.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR): Focuses on systematically
tensing and relaxing muscle groups to reduce tension.
Diaphragmatic Breathing: Focuses on slow, deep breathing to promote
relaxation and control physiological arousal.
Answer
Attention-Focusing Exercises: Uses guided imagery or meditation to
shift focus away from stressors.
Behavioral Relaxation Training: Involves practicing specific relaxed
postures and breathing techniques to reduce anxiety.
Would you choose systematic desensitization or in vivo
14. Question
desensitization to help a child overcome a fear of the dark? Why?
Systematic desensitization would be preferable because it allows the
child to gradually confront their fear through imagined or controlled
Answer exposure while using relaxation techniques. This method is less
overwhelming compared to in vivo desensitization, which involves
direct exposure.
Applications (Q1-3)
1. Question Jesse has a fear of heights. Whenever they look out a window that
Chapter Questions:
Use the Practice Test (Q1-4, Q9, Q14), Applications (Q1-3)
and Misapplications (Q1-3)
Miltenberger 7th Edition
Practice Test (Q1-4, Q9, Q14)
Describe how respondent behavior is involved in a fear or anxiety
1. Question problem. Provide an example, and identify the CS and CR in your
example.
Respondent behavior is an automatic, involuntary reaction to a
stimulus. In fear or anxiety problems, a neutral stimulus (NS) becomes
associated with an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US), leading to a
conditioned response (CR).
Answer Example: If a child hears a loud thunderclap (US) and feels fear (UR),
they may later feel anxious (CR) whenever they see dark clouds (CS).
CS: Dark clouds
CR: Fear/anxiety
Describe how operant behavior is involved in a fear or anxiety
2. Question problem. Provide an example. Identify the operant behavior and
describe how the behavior is reinforced.
Operant behavior is a voluntary action that is influenced by
consequences. In fear or anxiety problems, avoidance or escape
behaviors are negatively reinforced because they reduce or remove
anxiety-provoking stimuli.
Answer Example: A student with social anxiety avoids speaking in class.
Avoidance reduces their anxiety, reinforcing the behavior.
Operant behavior: Avoiding speaking in class
Reinforcement: Negative reinforcement (removal of anxiety)
, Describe the respondent behavior Trisha exhibited as part of her
3. Question fear of talking in front of the class.
Trisha likely experienced involuntary physiological responses, such as
increased heart rate, sweating, or shaking when asked to speak in front
Answer
of the class. These responses were triggered by a conditioned stimulus
(e.g., standing in front of the class).
Describe the operant behavior Allison exhibited as part of her fear
4. Question of spiders.
Allison may have avoided places where spiders are present, quickly left
rooms with spiders, or screamed for help. These behaviors would be
Answer
negatively reinforced because escaping or avoiding spiders reduces
her anxiety.
In each of the four approaches to relaxation described in
9. Question Questions 5–8, describe how muscle tension, breathing, and
attention focus are addressed.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR): Focuses on systematically
tensing and relaxing muscle groups to reduce tension.
Diaphragmatic Breathing: Focuses on slow, deep breathing to promote
relaxation and control physiological arousal.
Answer
Attention-Focusing Exercises: Uses guided imagery or meditation to
shift focus away from stressors.
Behavioral Relaxation Training: Involves practicing specific relaxed
postures and breathing techniques to reduce anxiety.
Would you choose systematic desensitization or in vivo
14. Question
desensitization to help a child overcome a fear of the dark? Why?
Systematic desensitization would be preferable because it allows the
child to gradually confront their fear through imagined or controlled
Answer exposure while using relaxation techniques. This method is less
overwhelming compared to in vivo desensitization, which involves
direct exposure.
Applications (Q1-3)
1. Question Jesse has a fear of heights. Whenever they look out a window that
