Two procedures for relaxation as self-control in the treatment of communication apprehension.

An in vivo procedure for relaxation as self-control, and a procedure for self-control modification of desensitization (modified desensitization) were compared to a no-treatment control. Ss were 34 female and 4 male undergraduates. Effectiveness was gauged by the reduction of (a) the targeted anxiety (communication apprehension) and (b) the nontargeted fear of negative evaluation and assertiveness. Results show that modified desensitization, compared to the control, significantly decreased communication anxiety and fear of negative evaluation and significantly increased assertiveness. Relaxation as self-control led to significantly decreased communication apprehension, significantly increased assertiveness, and nearly significant reduction in fear of negative evaluation ( p     

The influence of demand characteristics on the outcome of systematic desensitization analogue studies.

48 female undergraduates with high scores on the Snake-Fear Questionnaire participated in either systematic desensitization, sleep therapy, partial systematic desensitization, or no treatment. Sleep therapy and partial systematic desensitization had all of the components of systematic desensitization except pairing the hierarchy and relaxation. However, sleep therapy Ss took the posttreatment fear assessments thinking that relaxation and the hierarchy had been paired while they slept, whereas Ss in partial systematic desensitization took the posttherapy fear assessments with the expectation of subsequently having relaxation paired with the hierarchy. Results indicate that comparable fear reductions were produced by sleep therapy and systematic desensitization. Sleep therapy, however, resulted in more reduction of the Ss' fear responses than partial systematic desensitization. These findings demonstrate that pairing relaxation with the hierarchy was not necessary to achieve reduction of Ss' fear responses, and that operations other than the components of systematic desensitization could influence the outcome of systematic desensitization analog research. Findings support the contention that in analog research a significant amount of the behavior change achieved by systematic desensitization is attributable to the treatment's demand characteristics. (French summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Desensitization, suggestibility, and pseudotherapy.

44 snake phobic Ss participated in laboratory experiments assessing the degree of fear change associated with systematic desensitization, no treatment, placebo treatment, and the trait of suggestibility. Desensitization Ss showed significantly greater fear reduction than controls, while placebo Ss changed no more than did untreated Ss. Successful desensitization was relatively independent of suggestibility. Desensitization of specific fears generalized positively to other fears, and among desensitization Ss, degree of fear change could be predicted from measurable aspects of therapy process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Expectancy, false galvanic skin response feedback, and systematic desensitization in the modification of phobic behavior.

Compared systematic desensitization and 2 pseudotherapy manipulations with and without false galvanic skin response feedback after every session suggesting improvement in the modification of intense snake and spider fear. Ss were 36 spider- and snake-phobic 18-59 yr old women. Results indicate no consistent differences between the 3 treatment groups, although all treatments were significantly more effective than no treatment in modifying physiological, behavioral, and self-report measures of fear. A 4-mo follow-up showed stability in fear reduction on self-report measures for the 3 treatment groups. Overall results contradict a traditional conditioning explanation of systematic desensitization. An alternate explanation for the operation of systematic desensitization emphasizing the motivational as opposed to conditioning aspects of the procedure is discussed. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A psychophysiological analysis of fear modification using an automated desensitization procedure.

In Exp. I with 29 female undergraduates, an apparatus designed to administer systematic desensitization automatically was as effective as a live therapist in reducing phobic behavior, suggesting that effective desensitization is not dependent on a concurrent interpersonal interaction. An extensive psychophysiological analysis of the desensitization process showed that Ss' fear signals are associated with an increment in autonomic arousal, and that repreated presentation of fear items is accompanied by reduction in autonomic activity. Heart rate levels, responses, and degree of habituation to fear stimuli appeared related to success of desensitization. In Exp. II with 5 male and 15 female Ss, the anxiety hierarchies developed for desensitization yielded autonomic gradients, when the items were presented as visualized scenes, that varied with fear content and reported clarity of visualization. Results support the view that desensitization modifies autonomic, as well as gross motor and verbal responses, through learning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Individual difference factors in the efficacy of Covert Modeling and Self-Instructional Training for fear reduction.

Analyzed the relationship between individual differences in cognitive mediational processes and the efficacy of 2 training strategies for fear reduction: self-instructional training (SIT), based on self-verbalization, and covert modeling (CM), based on visual imagery. 26 undergraduate animal-phobics were randomly assigned to training conditions. Measures included ratings of imagery vividness, visual imagery performance, and measures of cognitive styles. Results indicate that reliance on imagery or verbal strategies to cope with fear was important in predicting treatment effects. Ss who used imagery to cope with fear benefited significantly more from CM than SIT. The reverse occurred for Ss using verbal strategies to cope with fear. These effects were exhibited on both behavioral avoidance and self-reported fear measures. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Systematic versus semantic desensitization and implosive therapy: A comparative study.

Selected 28 female and 12 male rat-phobic undergraduates matched on the degree of behavior avoidance, subjective fear, and semantic rating of the fear object. Ss were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: systematic desensitization, semantic desensitization, implosive therapy, and pseudodesensitization on a neutral buffer task. Results indicate that both the systematic and the semantic desensitization treatment resulted in a significant fear decrement as compared to the controls (p     

Reduction of human avoidant behavior: A comparison of counterconditioning, expectancy, and cognitive information approaches.

Compared the fear-reducing efficacy of procedures based on 3 major theories that have been proposed to account for the success of systematic desensitization therapy. 33 female and 14 male undergraduates, chosen on the basis of their fear of snakes, were assigned to 1 of 5 groups, and were given 4 individual treatment sessions. Predictions were confirmed in that the outcome measures of the high-expectancy placebo group and the 2 cognitive-coping groups were significantly superior to those of the counterconditioning and no-treatment groups. Thus, the supposition is supported that changes in human avoidant behavior may be attributed to demand and expectancy variables rather than the conditioning of antagonistic responses as has been previously suggested. (18 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Long-term effects of behavior therapy: A 12-month follow-up.

19 female undergraduates who underwent various behavioral treatments designed to reduce a specific fear were paid to return for follow-up 1 yr. later. In general, treated Ss' rat fears were less intense 1 yr. after treatment than they had been prior to treatment, with those treated by systematic desensitization slightly less fearful than those treated with "rational therapy." Subsequently, the desensitized Ss eliminated a snake fear by themselves, but the effects of this self-administered desensitization were not maintained. Additionally, 6 children treated by operant conditioning techniques for various problems were reevaluated 1 yr. later. All behavior change was maintained, but only those who had graduated to social reinforcement showed additional improvement. No evidence for symptom substitution was obtained from either group of Ss. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effectiveness of structured psychodrama and systematic desensitization in reducing test anxiety.

36 students with examination anxiety took part in a study of the effectiveness of structured psychodrama and systematic desensitization in reducing test anxiety. Ss were randomly assigned to psychodrama, desensitization, or no-treatment control groups. All Ss were tested before and after the treatments on the Suinn Test Anxiety Behavior Scale and the Neuroticism scale of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Results show that Ss in both treatment groups significantly reduced their test-anxiety scores compared with the controls. This was also congruent with gains as tested in vivo. A comparison between the 2 treatments, however, shows no significant differences. Also, there were no statistical differences among the 3 groups in neuroticism either before or after the treatments. It is concluded that the structured psychodrama method is as effective a mode of counseling as systematic desensitization in treating test anxiety. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Therapy for vaginismus: in vivo versus in vitro desensitization

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness of desensitization exercises with dilators in the treatment of vaginismus, while comparing 2 therapeutic variations with differing instruction procedures ("in vivo" versus "in vitro") during the desensitization exercises. METHOD: A consecutive random sample of 44 female outpatients in sexual therapy were divided into groups for either treatment on a random basis. All patients were treated until the symptoms abated on the basis of a structured therapy program. The stability of the therapeutic success was verified through follow-up interviews. RESULTS: Forty-three (97.2%) of the patients were able to have sexual intercourse after an average of 6.3 therapeutic sessions. One-third reported an increase in their sexual desire. Thirty-four of 39 patients (87.2%) would be prepared to repeat the therapy. There were no significant differences in the success and the required number of consultations for the cure between the 2 groups investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Desensitization through exercises with dilators is an effective method for treating vaginismus. The choice of instruction procedure can be left to the patient.     

Psychodynamic changes through systematic desensitization.

Attempted to integrate psychoanalytic theory and the data from behavior therapy, specifically systematic desensitization. It was found that snake phobics could be significantly discriminated from a group of normals on a measure of castration anxiety. Following systematic desensitization of the fear of harmless snakes, (a) 10 treated snake phobics were significantly lower on manifest anxiety than 10 nontreated snake phobics, but not as low as 10 normals; (b) treated snake phobics were significantly lower than nontreated snake phobics on a TAT measure of castration anxiety, but not as low as normals; and (c) treated snake phobics were not significantly lower than nontreated snake phobics on a Rorschach measure of castration anxiety, and both were significantly higher than normals. (20 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of modeling and desensitization in reducing dentist phobia.

Notes that although many persons avoid dentists and dental work, counseling techniques that eliminate dental avoidance behavior and reduce stress have not yet been systematically examined. The present study explored the effects of systematic desensitization and social-modeling treatments with placebo and assessment control groups. Each of the 4 groups contained 9 dental-phobic adults (mean age = 30 yrs). A behavioral measure as well as several attitude and fear arousal scales (e.g., the Fear Survey Schedule) were used as dependent variables. Modeling was more effective than desensitization as shown by the number of Ss who went to a dentist, and modeling and desensitization were more effective in reducing arousal and improving attitudes than placebo and assessment groups. The importance of demonstrating behaviors coupled with covert practice, or self-modeling, is discussed. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of three methods of reducing test anxiety: Systematic desensitization, implosive therapy, and study counseling.

Administered the Alpert-Haber Achievement Anxiety Test to 39 undergraduates. Finger sweat prints were also included as anxiety measures. Ss were assigned to 4 groups: systematic desensitization, implosive therapy, study counseling, and a no-treatment control group. Groups met for 4 1-hr sessions for 2 wks. Results suggest that systematic desensitization is more effective in reducing debilitating anxiety than either implosive therapy or study counseling and that implosive therapy is more effective than study counseling, which was not significantly different than no treatment. No significant differences between treatments were found on the physiological measure of anxiety, GPAs (compared before and after treatment), or facilitating anxiety. Findings support previous studies comparing desensitization and study counseling. (18 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognition and desensitization in the group treatment of test anxiety.

Assessed the comparative effectiveness of cognitive, arousal reduction, and combined cognitive and arousal reduction treatments for test anxiety. 48 test-anxious volunteers who had scored above 32 on the Debilitating Anxiety scale of the Alpert-Haber Achievement Anxiety Test were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 graduate-student therapists, who provided (a) cognitive therapy, (b) systematic desensitization, (c) a combination of cognitive therapy and systematic desensitization, or (d) a pseudotherapy control procedure. 12 other test-anxious Ss were assigned to a waiting-list control group. Test anxiety was assessed both on self-report measures, in an analog testing situation prior to treatment, at the completion of treatment, and at a 1-mo follow-up. GPA was also used as a measure of academic performance. Results indicate that cognitive therapy was more effective in reducing anxiety in the analog testing situation and improving GPA than other treatment and control procedures. Systematic desensitization, combined systematic desensitization and cognitive therapy, and the pseudotherapy control procedure were not reliably different from one another. Results underline the effectiveness of cognitive therapy in treating test anxiety. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Contribution of pretesting to several measures of semantic desensitization effectiveness.

32 snake- or spider-phobic Ss were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: pretest–posttest therapy, posttest-only therapy, pre–post control, or post-only control. Ss receiving semantic desensitization therapy showed less posttest anxiety on the semantic differential than controls regardless of testing condition. However, therapy Ss demonstrated less anxiety on a fear survey, a fear thermometer, and a behavioral approach test only in the pretest–posttest condition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The process of fear reduction through systematic desensitization.

Investigated the process of fear change during a course of systematic desensitization therapy with 15 female snake-phobic undergraduates. Behavioral, subjective (e.g., Subjective Anxiety Scale and the S-R Inventory of Anxiousness), and physiological measures of fear were taken following each of 8 therapy sessions. Generally, linear reductions were found on behavior and subjective measures, whereas a cubic trend was detected for baseline heart rate. Changes in 1 fear system did not appear to be primary in initiating changes in the other systems. Real-life nonavoidance exposure to the feared stimulus appears to provide an important steering function during the fear change process. High baseline heart rate was a good predictor of behavioral change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of contextual cues on the efficacy of desensitization and a credible placebo in alleviating public speaking anxiety.

Investigated the extent to which contextual cues mediated the effectiveness of systematic desensitization and a plausible placebo in alleviating public speaking anxiety. After participating in a public speaking situation that allowed the collection of self-report, physiological, and behavioral manifestations of anxiety, 67 undergraduates were randomly assigned to receive 5 sessions of either desensitization, "T scope" therapy, or no treatment. Each of these conditions was conducted in a context that either stressed the clinical relevance of the procedure or presented the procedure as a laboratory investigation of fear without therapeutic implications. Analysis of changes both between groups and within individuals indicated that desensitization reduced public speaking anxiety in both contexts, whereas the placebo was effective only in the therapeutic setting. The superiority of desensitization was most pronounced on the physiological variables. Results are interpreted as indicating support for a counterconditioning rather than an expectancy interpretation of desensitization. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Therapy set: Its effects on subjects' involvement in systematic desensitization and treatment outcome.

Hypothesized that therapy instructions significantly augment desensitization treatment effects by influencing Ss' involvement in the conditioning procedure. 45 female undergraduate snake phobics were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups or a no-treatment control. Therapy set and involvement instructions were manipulated within a 2 * 2 factorial design to create therapeutically and experimentally oriented Ss who were either unencouraged or encouraged to work hard at the experimental procedure. Analyses revealed therapy instructional effects on both behavioral and self-report measures of fear change which could not be attributed to experimenters' awareness of instructional manipulations. Therapy oriented Ss' performance scores were not, however, significantly greater than those obtained by Ss with an experimental orientation. Alternative hypotheses and future research strategies for testing therapy instructional effects are discussed. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Systematic desensitization: Expectancy change or counterconditioning?

Exposed 44 snake and spider phobic undergraduates to either (1) a form of systematic desensitization treatment; (2) a technique, called T-scope therapy, which embodies most of the expectancy-manipulating features of desensitization, but does not contain the technical elements of the procedure, i.e., relaxation, visualization, and the construction of an anxiety hierarchy, (3) T-scope therapy, presented as an "incomplete" and probably ineffective form of treatment; or (4) no treatment. There was no significant differences (on self-rating, runway, or interview measures) between the effects of the systematic desensitization procedure and T-scope therapy, although Ss receiving either of these treatments improved significantly more than those who received no treatment or T-scope therapy administered under the "low-expectancy" condition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)