Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

What model does systematic desensitization fit into?

1. Humanistic Model

2. Behavioral Model

3. Cognitive Model

4. Psychoanalytic Model

The correct answer is: Behavioral Model

Systematic desensitization fits into the Behavioral Model because it is a therapeutic technique that involves the gradual exposure to a feared stimulus while simultaneously employing relaxation techniques. This approach is based on the principles of classical conditioning, where an individual learns to associate a previously feared object or situation with a state of relaxation rather than anxiety. In systematic desensitization, the client is first taught relaxation strategies and then progressively exposed to anxiety-provoking stimuli in a controlled manner, starting from the least to the most anxiety-inducing scenarios. This technique exemplifies key characteristics of the Behavioral Model, focusing on observable behaviors and the learning processes that shape them. It emphasizes modifying maladaptive behaviors through environmental interactions rather than addressing internal thoughts or emotions alone, which is more characteristic of Cognitive and Humanistic Models. The Psychoanalytic Model, in contrast, involves exploring unconscious processes and past experiences rather than focusing on systematic behavioral changes.