Doug Was Frightened by a Rat Coming into His Bedroom

question 178

Multiple Choice

Doug was frightened by a rat coming into his bedroom when he was a child, and he now has a rat phobia. However, despite having been severely shocked by putting her finger in an electric outlet, Martha has no fear of sockets. This inconsistency is explained by the theory of

• A)preparedness.
• B)systematic desensitization.
• C)irrational beliefs.
• D)avoidance conditioning.

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Definitions:

Obedience Research

The study of how individuals comply with orders from an authority figure, often examined within social psychology.

Peripheral Route Persuasion

A method of persuasion that relies on superficial cues or associations, rather than logical argument, to influence people's attitudes or behaviors.

Celebrity Spokespeople

Famous individuals who endorse products, services, or charitable causes, often leveraging their public influence.

Foot-in-the-door Technique

A compliance strategy where a small request is made first to increase the likelihood of agreement to a larger request later.