Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

Which therapeutic approach would likely be most effective for a client needing to confront a severe fear?

1. Relaxation techniques

2. Gradual exposure

3. Flooding

4. Group therapy

The correct answer is: Flooding

For a client who needs to confront a severe fear, flooding can be particularly effective because it involves immediate and intense exposure to the feared object or situation without any gradual build-up. This method aims to quickly reduce anxiety associated with the fear by placing the individual in a situation where they directly face what they fear, allowing them to realize that their fear is not as threatening as it seems. Flooding works on the principle of classic conditioning, demonstrating that exposure can lead to a decrease in the conditioned response of fear. By experiencing their fear in a controlled setting, clients may find their anxiety diminishes over time, as they learn to cope with the fear-inducing stimulus. This approach is useful for severe fears because it can produce rapid results, and for some individuals, facing the fear head-on can lead to significant breakthroughs in their therapeutic journey. In contrast, while relaxation techniques can be beneficial in helping clients manage anxiety, they may not directly confront the source of fear, making them less effective for severe issues. Gradual exposure is a more step-by-step method that may take longer to yield results, which might not be ideal for someone needing immediate confrontation of their fears. Group therapy, while supportive, often focuses on social aspects and may not provide the targeted exposure necessary