The presence of two mutually opposing forces at the same time, inhibits the weaker force. The principle is known as ____________.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Reciprocal Inhibition
Option (1) Dysfunctional Cognitive structure — Incorrect. In Beck’s cognitive therapy, cognitive distortions, ways of thinking that distort reality in a negative manner, are called dysfunctional cognitive structures. They are a cause of distress that therapy corrects, not a principle about opposing forces.
Option (2) Token Economy — Incorrect. In a token economy a person is given a token every time a wanted behaviour occurs, and the tokens are later exchanged for a reward. It works by reward, not by one force inhibiting another.
Option (3) Reciprocal Inhibition — Correct. The principle of reciprocal inhibition states that the presence of two mutually opposing forces at the same time inhibits the weaker force. In therapy the relaxation response is built up first and a mildly anxiety-provoking scene is imagined, so the anxiety is overcome by the relaxation.
Option (4) Systematic desensitization — Incorrect. Systematic desensitisation is the technique, introduced by Wolpe for phobias, in which the client relaxes and imagines fear-provoking situations from a hierarchy. Reciprocal inhibition is the principle that operates within it; the question asks for the principle.
NCERT (2025-26): “Behaviour Therapy … Systematic desensitisation is a technique introduced by Wolpe for treating phobias or irrational fears. The client is interviewed to elicit fear provoking situations and together with the client, the therapist prepares a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking stimuli with the least anxiety-provoking stimuli at the bottom of the hierarchy. The therapist relaxes the client and asks the client to think about the least anxiety-provoking situation. Box 5.2 gives details of relaxation procedures. The client is asked to stop thinking of the fearful situation if the slightest tension is felt. Over sessions, the client is able to imagine more severe fear-provoking situations while maintaining the relaxation. The client gets systematically desensitised to the fear. The principle of reciprocal inhibition operates here. This principle states that the presence of two mutually opposing forces at the same time, inhibits the weaker force. Thus, the relaxation response is first built up and mildly anxiety-provoking scene is imagined, and the anxiety is overcome by the relaxation.…” “Behaviour Therapy … Persons with behavioural problems can be given a token as a reward every time a wanted behaviour occurs. The tokens are collected and exchanged for a reward such as an outing for the patient or a treat for the child. This is known as token economy.” “Cognitive Therapy … Cognitive distortions are ways of thinking which are general in nature but which distort the reality in a negative manner. These patterns of thought are called dysfunctional cognitive structures. They lead to errors of cognition about the social reality.…” |