Individuals with severe phobias can be exposed in virtual reality therapy to a three-dimensional computer simulation that allows them to experience stimuli related to their fears. After creating a hierarchy of anxiety-producing experiences, the person can encounter each in a controlled environment, repeating the exposure to reduce the anxiety created by each situation. This therapeutic technique is based upon

Latent learning refers to knowledge that is acquired but not immediately reflected in behavior until there is a reason to demonstrate it. This concept does not directly relate to the repeated exposure and anxiety reduction seen in virtual reality therapy, where the focus is on active engagement with fear-inducing stimuli rather than passive learning that manifests later.

Modeling involves learning behaviors by observing others and imitating their actions. While beneficial in various therapeutic contexts, modeling does not specifically apply to the exposure therapy described, which emphasizes direct experience and confrontation of fears rather than observation of others.

Premack's principle suggests that more preferred activities can be used to reinforce less preferred behaviors. This principle does not align with the exposure therapy process, which does not rely on reinforcing behaviors through preferred activities but instead focuses on systematic desensitization to fear stimuli.