What happens to the level of fear as the stimulus interval increases in avoidance training?

In avoidance training, the level of fear often diminishes as the stimulus interval increases. This phenomenon can be attributed to the concept of habituation, where repeated exposure to a stimulus may lead to a decrease in the associated fear response over time. As individuals encounter a specific stimulus that they associate with fear, the more they engage with it without experiencing a negative outcome, the less fearful they may become.

Additionally, as the interval or period between the stimuli increases, individuals have more time to break the connection between the fear-inducing stimulus and their responses. This can lead to a reduction in the fear response, since the predictability of the outcome may not reinforce the fearful behavior. Thus, an increased stimulus interval allows for a more gradual adjustment, contributing to the diminishment of fear rather than an intensification or constant state.