In the Saavedra study, what method was used to assess the boy's feelings during the exposure?

In the Saavedra study, the method used to assess the boy's feelings during exposure was through talking about experiences. This approach involves using verbal communication to explore emotions and thoughts related to specific stimuli, in this case, the boy's phobia of buttons. By encouraging the child to express his feelings, the researchers could gain insight into his emotional responses, thoughts, and the significances he attached to his fear. This qualitative data provided a deeper understanding of the boy's experiences that were being targeted in the study.

Other methods, such as physical examination, would not effectively capture emotional responses or cognitive processes relevant to the boy's fear. Imaginary situations might involve hypothetical discussions but wouldn't directly reflect the boy's lived experience. Behavioral observation would indicate actions rather than internal feelings, making it less effective for understanding individual emotional states. Through discussions about experiences, the researchers could facilitate a therapeutic conversation that highlighted the child's fears and helped guide the exposure therapy process.