Effective Strategies to Reduce Stranger Fear Using Classical Conditioning Principles

Explanation:

Strategy A: Get a +CER to one shirt, then the stranger who wore it, then continue the process with the next person

Strategy B: Get a +CER to shirts from multiple strangers, then move on to using each stranger as the CS

Both Strategy A and Strategy B: These approaches focus on creating a positive association with the worn shirts as the Conditioned Stimulus and then transferring this positive emotional response to the strangers themselves. By following the principles of classical conditioning, these strategies aim to replace fear with comfort and safety when encountering strangers.

In the context of classical conditioning, the key idea is to associate a neutral stimulus (the worn shirt) with a positive response (comfort and safety) which is then transferred to the stranger, turning them from a potential source of fear into a source of positive emotions.

Strategy A takes a sequential approach, focusing on establishing a strong positive response to one shirt-stranger pair at a time. This method allows for a concentrated effort on building associations before moving on to the next shirt and stranger.

On the other hand, Strategy B involves creating positive associations with shirts from multiple strangers simultaneously and then associating each stranger with a positive emotion once the +CER has been established. This approach may be more efficient in reducing stranger fear as it leverages multiple associations at once.

It is important to note that the effectiveness of these strategies may vary depending on the individual's response to classical conditioning and the specific circumstances in which the fear of strangers manifests. Experimentation and observation may be necessary to determine which approach works best for each individual.