vicarious extinction
a phenomenon in which behavioral inhibitions are eliminated by observational experiences alone, with accompanying generalized and enduring reductions in fear arousal and avoidance behavior. Vicarious extinction requires exposing observers to stimulus events in which a model repeatedly exhibits approach responses toward a feared object without incurring any aversive consequences. For example, vicarious extinction for a person who is afraid of dogs might involve watching as another individual engages with a series of different dogs in a pen and interacts with each one in a way that becomes progressively more involved (e.g., petting, then feeding, then leash walking, then picking up each animal) without being bitten or experiencing other negative consequences.