Don Has a Cleanliness Obsession Which Revolves Around a Fear

Don has a cleanliness obsession which revolves around a fear of dirt, germs, and other unclean things. His compulsion involves handwashing. If he believes he has touched something unclean, he will wash his hands until they are raw. In treatment for his disorder, Don is asked to touch all of the doorknobs in his therapist's office building, and is then told he cannot wash his hands. He and the therapist then sit together while Don tries to relax and overcome his feelings of extreme discomfort. This treatment:

A) is an unethical one and would not be used today
B) has been shown to be ineffective and may even cause worsening symptoms
C) is an appropriate therapy based on extinguishing a conditioned response
D) is less effective than tranquilizers in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder

Correct Answer:

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