You are preoccupied by the negative thought that "you will fail every test you take in college.". How could you use thought stopping to reduce the occurrence of this negative thought?
What will be an ideal response?
Answer will include that in thought stopping, aversive stimuli are used to interrupt or prevent upsetting thoughts. The simplest thought-stopping technique makes use of mild punishment to suppress upsetting mental images and internal "talk.". Simply place a large, flat rubber band around your wrist. As you go through the day, apply the rule: Each time you catch yourself thinking the upsetting thought, pull the rubber band away from your wrist and snap it. You need not make this terribly painful. Its value lies in drawing your attention to how often you form negative thoughts and in interrupting the flow of thoughts. Strong punishment is not required. A second thought-stopping procedure requires only that you interrupt upsetting thoughts each time they occur. Begin by setting aside time each day during which you will deliberately think the unwanted thought. As you begin to form the thought, shout "Stop!" aloud, with conviction. (Obviously, one should choose a private spot for this part of the procedure!) Repeat the thought-stopping procedure 10 to 20 times for the first two or three days. Then switch to shouting "Stop!" covertly (to yourself) rather than aloud. Thereafter, thought-stopping can be carried out throughout the day, whenever upsetting thoughts occur. After several days of practice, you should be able to stop unwanted thoughts whenever they occur.
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A. discouraged B. strengthened C. decreased D. had no effect on
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