Eric does not accept invitations to go skiing due to a childhood experience of being buried in an avalanche while visiting relatives in the mountains. Eric is maintaining his fear of skiing through __________.

Eric’s fear may have begun when the avalanche became associated with skiing, but he maintains it by avoiding invitations to ski. Avoidance can be reinforced because it prevents the anxiety he expects to feel, making him more likely to avoid skiing again. This is operant conditioning.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.