What does counter-conditioning involve?

Counter-conditioning is a behavioral therapy technique that aims to change the emotional response associated with a specific stimulus. It involves teaching a new response that is incompatible with the old response. By introducing a positive stimulus that elicits a pleasant response when presented alongside the previously feared or negative stimulus, the individual learns to develop a different emotional reaction. This method is often used in the context of phobias and anxiety disorders, where the goal is to replace a fearful response with a more positive or neutral one.

In this context, reinforcing old responses, increasing conditioned reflexes, or encouraging avoidance of stimuli do not align with the principles of counter-conditioning. These alternatives may perpetuate the old response or fail to promote a new, adaptive behavior. Counter-conditioning specifically aims to create new associations that lead to healthier responses to stimuli.