Which term refers to the behavioral strategy that aims to replace an undesirable response with a desired one?

The term that describes the behavioral strategy of replacing an undesirable response with a desired one is counterconditioning. This concept is rooted in classical conditioning, where an individual learns to associate a new response to a stimulus that previously elicited an undesirable reaction. For example, in counterconditioning, a person who has a phobia may be gradually exposed to the fear-inducing stimulus while simultaneously being taught a relaxation technique, thereby fostering a more positive response to what once provoked fear.

While systematic desensitization is a closely related technique that specifically involves gradual exposure to a feared stimulus paired with relaxation, it is more focused on phobias and anxiety reduction rather than a broad strategy to replace undesirable responses with desired ones. Behavior modification encompasses a range of techniques aimed at changing behavior but may not specifically focus on the replacement process itself. Habit reversal targets specific undesirable habits, involving awareness and competing responses but does not inherently describe the broader goal of replacing responses. Thus, counterconditioning is a precise term for the process of transforming negative responses into positive behaviors.