Final answer:
The scenario of Carmen overcoming her dog phobia exemplifies systematic desensitization, a form of behavioral therapy that uses gradual exposure to the feared stimulus paired with relaxation techniques to diminish the anxiety response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scenario of Carmen developing a phobia of dogs after being bitten and later overcoming it through gradual exposure is an example of systematic desensitization. Systematic desensitization is a type of behavioral therapy based on the principle of classical conditioning. It was developed by psychologist Joseph Wolpe and is often used to treat phobias. The process involves exposing the individual to the feared object or context in a gradual manner, starting with the least frightening and moving towards the most frightening. This therapy is built upon the concept that one cannot be anxious and relaxed at the same time, therefore relaxation techniques are also taught and used during the exposure to the feared stimulus.
The psychologist's effort to treat Carmen's dog phobia by allowing her to have nonthreatening experiences with dogs mirrors the steps taken in systematic desensitization, where a person is gradually exposed to their fear until it no longer triggers the anxiety response. This approach is very different from aversion therapy, where the undesirable behavior is paired with an unpleasant stimulus in order to reduce the occurrence of that behavior. Systematic desensitization is more about creating a neutral or positive association with the feared object.