ferently between children and adults. Also, the fear  or anxiety occurs as soon as the phobic ob-
ject or situation is encountered (i.e., immediately rather than being delayed). 
The individual actively avoids the situation, or  if he or she either is unable or decides
not to avoid it, the situation or object evok es intense fear or anxiety (Criterion C). Active
avoidance  means the individual intentionally behave s in ways that are designed to prevent
or minimize contact with phobic objects or situ ations (e.g., takes tunnels instead of bridges
on daily commute to work for fear of heights; avoids entering a dark room for fear of spi-
ders; avoids accepting a job in a locale wh ere a phobic stimulus is more common). Avoid-