When an alcoholic is given a mild electric shock and asked to smell the alcohol repeatedly to form an association between the two then this form of treatment is known as:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Aversive Conditioning
Option (1) Negative Reinforcement — Incorrect. In negative reinforcement a response is learnt because it lets a person get rid of or escape a painful stimulus, as one puts on woollen clothes to avoid the cold. The shock here is not something the person escapes by a response; it is paired with the smell of alcohol.
Option (2) Aversive Conditioning — Correct. Aversive conditioning is the repeated association of an undesired response with an aversive consequence. The shock is paired with the smell of alcohol again and again, so the smell itself becomes unpleasant and the person gives up alcohol.
Option (3) Systematic Desensitization — Incorrect. Systematic desensitisation treats phobias or irrational fears: the relaxed client imagines feared situations, from the least to the most frightening, until the fear goes. It reduces anxiety; it does not attach pain to a habit.
Option (4) Differential Reinforcement — Incorrect. In differential reinforcement wanted behaviour is increased and unwanted behaviour reduced at the same time, for example by rewarding the wanted behaviour and ignoring the unwanted one. No wanted behaviour is being rewarded in the alcoholic’s treatment.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2022 on 25-08-2022 (Slot 2), and in CUET (UG) 2026 on 31-05-2026 (Slot 1).
NCERT (2025-26): “Behavioural Techniques … Negative reinforcement and aversive conditioning are the two major techniques of behaviour modification. As you have already studied in Class XI, responses that lead organisms to get rid of painful stimuli or avoid and escape from them provide negative reinforcement. For example, one learns to put on woollen clothes, burn firewood or use electric heaters to avoid the unpleasant cold weather. One learns to move away from dangerous stimuli because they provide negative reinforcement. Aversive conditioning refers to repeated association of undesired response with an aversive consequence. For example, an alcoholic is given a mild electric shock and asked to smell the alcohol. With repeated pairings the smell of alcohol is aversive as the pain of the shock is associated with it and the person will give up alcohol.…” “Behavioural Techniques … Unwanted behaviour can be reduced and wanted behaviour can be increased simultaneously through differential reinforcement. Positive reinforcement for the wanted behaviour and negative reinforcement for the unwanted behaviour attempted together may be one such method. The other method is to positively reinforce the wanted behaviour and ignore the unwanted behaviour. The latter method is less painful and equally effective.…” “Behavioural Techniques … Systematic desensitisation is a technique introduced by Wolpe for treating phobias or irrational fears.…” |