Joe Just Ate Six Chili-Dogs and Drank a Litre of Soda.If

question 106

Multiple Choice

Joe just ate six chili-dogs and drank a litre of soda.If Joe had illness anxiety disorder,how would he probably interpret any resulting stomach discomfort?

• A) as yet another sign of numerous vague, chronic "infections" that have plagued him for years, which no one seems to be able to properly diagnose
• B) as a sign that something is probably seriously wrong with his stomach, and he would calmly phone in "sick" to work
• C) as a sign that something is seriously wrong with his stomach and, feeling very anxious, he would immediately call his doctor
• D) as a sign that someone is trying to poison him

---

Definitions:

Stimulus Generalization

The process by which a conditioned response is triggered by stimuli that are similar but not identical to the original conditioned stimulus.

Systematic Desensitization

A behavioral therapy technique used to reduce phobic responses and anxiety by gradually exposing the individual to the feared object or situation in a controlled way.

Counterconditioning

A behavior therapy technique that involves pairing a positive stimulus with a fear-evoking stimulus to reduce the fearful response.

Second-order Conditioning

A form of conditioning in which a stimulus is paired with a previously conditioned stimulus, leading to learning without the original unconditioned stimulus.