Edna B. Foa and Michael J. Kozak propose mechanisms for emotional processing of fear, emphasizing the role of exposure in reducing anxiety. Fear is viewed as represented in memory structures, and anxiety arises when these structures are activated. Emotional processing involves modifying these memory structures. Exposure to feared situations is common in anxiety therapies, and physiological activation and habituation are indicators of emotional processing. Variables influencing fear responses are analyzed to understand what information must be integrated for fear reduction. Treatment failures may result from cognitive defenses, autonomic arousal, mood state, and erroneous beliefs. The article discusses the effectiveness of exposure techniques in treating anxiety disorders, noting that they lead to long-term improvement in about 75% of patients. The authors argue that fear structures are programs for escape or avoidance, and that emotional processing requires activating these structures and incorporating incompatible information. They propose that fear structures involve information about the feared stimulus, responses, and their meaning. The article also discusses the role of physiological responses, habituation, and the importance of matching exposure content with fear structures. It highlights the effectiveness of exposure therapy in reducing fear, with data showing that it leads to significant improvements in patients with agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The authors suggest that the success of treatment depends on the activation of fear structures and the incorporation of new, incompatible information. They also discuss the importance of attention during exposure therapy, noting that attention enhances habituation and emotional processing. The article concludes that exposure therapy promotes lasting fear reduction by modifying fear structures through the integration of new information.Edna B. Foa and Michael J. Kozak propose mechanisms for emotional processing of fear, emphasizing the role of exposure in reducing anxiety. Fear is viewed as represented in memory structures, and anxiety arises when these structures are activated. Emotional processing involves modifying these memory structures. Exposure to feared situations is common in anxiety therapies, and physiological activation and habituation are indicators of emotional processing. Variables influencing fear responses are analyzed to understand what information must be integrated for fear reduction. Treatment failures may result from cognitive defenses, autonomic arousal, mood state, and erroneous beliefs. The article discusses the effectiveness of exposure techniques in treating anxiety disorders, noting that they lead to long-term improvement in about 75% of patients. The authors argue that fear structures are programs for escape or avoidance, and that emotional processing requires activating these structures and incorporating incompatible information. They propose that fear structures involve information about the feared stimulus, responses, and their meaning. The article also discusses the role of physiological responses, habituation, and the importance of matching exposure content with fear structures. It highlights the effectiveness of exposure therapy in reducing fear, with data showing that it leads to significant improvements in patients with agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The authors suggest that the success of treatment depends on the activation of fear structures and the incorporation of new, incompatible information. They also discuss the importance of attention during exposure therapy, noting that attention enhances habituation and emotional processing. The article concludes that exposure therapy promotes lasting fear reduction by modifying fear structures through the integration of new information.