Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

Systematic desensitization is a psychological technique primarily used to help individuals overcome specific phobias and anxiety disorders. The process involves gradually exposing a patient to the feared stimulus in a controlled and systematic manner, while simultaneously teaching relaxation techniques to counteract the anxiety that may arise during exposure.

The goal of systematic desensitization is to reduce the fear response over time, allowing the individual to confront and eventually become desensitized to the source of their anxiety. This method is rooted in classical conditioning principles, where the aim is to replace the conditioned response of fear with a conditioned response of relaxation in the presence of the feared object or situation.

In contrast, techniques that enhance cognitive abilities, strategies for family counseling, or practices aimed at strengthening memory recall do not address the specific phobic or anxiety-related responses that systematic desensitization targets. Therefore, the primary focus on gradual exposure to fears is what makes this answer the most accurate in the context of psychological treatment.