Which of the following is a variation of exposure therapy?

• A. Flooding
• B. Cognitive restructuring
• C. Relaxation training
• D. Psychoeducation

Answer: (A)

Exposure therapy reduces anxiety by confronting feared stimuli until the fear response diminishes. Flooding is a direct, intense form of exposure where the person faces the feared situation at full intensity without gradual steps. This sustained exposure often leads to rapid fear extinction as the individual learns that the feared outcome does not occur and the anxiety subsides. The other techniques listed aren’t variations of exposure therapy: cognitive restructuring focuses on changing distorted thoughts, relaxation training teaches calming skills, and psychoeducation provides information about the disorder. While these can be part of a broader treatment, they are not themselves variations of exposure therapy.