How might behaviours of individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) explained by principles of instrumental learning?
Correct answer: E. OCD behaviours are reinforced and maintained because they reduce anxiety
- A. OCD behaviours are naturally learned from biological relatives
- B. OCD behaviours are learned from pairing anxiety-provoking stimuli with common behaviours
- C. OCD behaviours are learned by perceptual processing of anxiety-provoking stimuli
- D. OCD behaviours are contingent upon schedule of reinforcement
- E. OCD behaviours are reinforced and maintained because they reduce anxiety
Explanation
Compulsions are maintained through negative reinforcement: performing the ritual temporarily reduces anxiety or distress, which increases the likelihood of repeating it. This explains maintenance without claiming that the behaviour is directly inherited or merely perceptual.
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