What is the purpose of behavioral activation?

• A. Scheduling rewarding activities to increase positive reinforcement and counter anhedonia and withdrawal
• B. Increasing social withdrawal
• C. Suppressing pleasurable activities to avoid stress
• D. Removing structure to let mood resolve itself

Answer: (C)

Behavioral activation focuses on breaking the cycle of depression by increasing engagement in activities that are likely to be rewarding. By deliberately scheduling pleasant or meaningful activities, a person experiences more positive reinforcement from their environment, which can lift mood and energy. This approach directly targets anhedonia by re-experiencing enjoyable moments and reestablishing a link between actions and positive outcomes. It also reduces avoidance and withdrawal, which keep depressive symptoms going, by encouraging approach toward activities even when motivation is low. Increasing social withdrawal would remove sources of reinforcement, while suppressing pleasurable activities to avoid stress deprives the person of potential positive experiences and coping, and removing structure undermines routines that support mood improvement.