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     

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)     

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)     

Expectancy factors in the treatment of fear: Methodological and theoretical issues.

Critically reviews the literature assessing the importance of Ss' expectation of therapeutic gain in facilitating fear reduction. Reviewed studies fall into 2 major categories: those that compare the relative efficacy of systematic desensitization and placebos and those that attempt to manipulate Ss' expectation of therapeutic gain within a particular technique (e.g., systematic desensitization). The methodological problems with this research include the failure of investigators to evaluate the experiential impact of expectancy-inducing instructions, the use of unconvincing placebo manipulations, and the predominant employment of mildly fearful, poorly motivated Ss. In spite of these problems, it is tentatively concluded that expectancy manipulations are important change mediators. Several mechanisms may explain how expectancy mediates change, including increased compliance with real treatment procedures; increased tendency to test reality after having undergone an "effective" therapy, with subsequent fear extinction and self-reinforcement for behavioral improvement; modification of demand characteristics after treatment; and modification of cognitive events controlling fear responding. (71 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Inducing assertive behavior in chronic schizophrenics: A comparison of socioenvironmental, desensitization, and relaxation therapies.

Assigned 63 20-67 yr. old male schizophrenics to 3 treatment conditions: socioenvironmental treatment, systematic desensitization, or relaxation training. It was predicted that socioenvironmental treatment would be more effective with older male schizophrenics (over 45 yr. of age) and systematic desensitization and relaxation training with younger male schizophrenics in generating assertive behavior. It was further anticipated that systematic desensitization and relaxation training would be generally superior in reducing anxiety. Results confirm the expectancy for older patients with respect to socioenvironmental treatment and assertive behavior. There were no other differential treatment effects, although all conditions did generate a decrease in anxiety. (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)     

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)     

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)     

Desensitization: Getting it together with Davison and Wilson.

Notes that in spite of G. C. Davison and G. T. Wilson's (see PA, Vol. 49:Issue 1) global criticisms, the conclusions originally presented by W. Wilkins (see record 1972-06967-001) in his review are supported by empirical evidence. Neither hierarchy construction nor training in muscle relaxation, but only the instructed imagination of fear-relevant scenes, is a necessary element of Wolpe's systematic desensitization procedure. Factors influential in successful systematic desensitization include expectancy of therapeutic gain, reinforcing qualities of the therapist, feedback of success, and training in the control of attention. Aspects of the procedure are quite similar to and consistent with modeling procedures of fear reduction. Davison and Wilson appear to be in considerable agreement with several of these conclusions. (25 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Transfer, behavioral improvement, and anxiety reduction in systematic desensitization.

Studied the degree of transfer and fear change associated with 4 levels of desensitization, pseudodesensitization, and no treatment in 74 female snakephobic undergraduates. Only Ss desensitized to 75% or more of the hierarchy demonstrated reliably greater reductions in avoidance behavior than controls. However, Ss completing 50% or less of the hierarchy showed smaller transfer decrements than those who finished the hierarchy. Results also suggest that repeated exposure tends to improve transfer efficiency. On the posttest, desensitization Ss reported significantly less anxiety than no-treatment controls when repeating their highest pretreatment responses, but were no different from either control group when performing new approach responses, suggesting that behavioral improvement is not dependent upon the elimination or inhibition of conditioned emotional arousal. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Galvanic skin response and reported anxiety during systematic desensitization.

Preselected 3 groups of 8 females each for high snake fear. 1 group received systematic desensitization with relaxation, another desensitization without relaxation (essentially exposure to phobic visualizations), and the 3rd relaxation and visualization of neutral scenes. Outcome measures indicate that the desensitization group reduced phobic behavior most, followed by the relaxation group, and then the exposure group. Total amplitude of GSR responsivity during a visualization showed a more rapid habituation for the desensitization group than either exposure or relaxation group. Results confirm the initial hypotheses and provide support for a counterconditioning explanation of systematic desensitization with relaxation as the mediator or counterconditioner. (16 ref.) (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)     

Experimental desensitization of phobia.

24 snake phobic Ss participated in an experimental investigation of systematic desensitization therapy. Ss who experience desensitization showed a greater reduction in phobic behavior (as measured by avoidance behavior in the presence of the phobic object and self-ratings) than did nonparticipating controls. Ss tended to hold or increase therapy gains at a 6-month follow-up evaluation, and gave no evidence of symtom substitution. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Client-therapist relationship factor in systematic desensitization.

40 snake-phobic females were matched on degree of behavioral avoidance and subjective fear, and then randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: (1) a conventional desensitization group, using standard interpersonal procedures; (2) a semiautomated desensitization group in which treatment was delivered by tape recordings; (3) a pseudodesensitization control group; or (4) a no-treatment control group. Ss in both desensitization groups showed significantly greater improvement than did Ss in either of the 2 control groups. No differences were found between conventional and semiautomated procedures. It is concluded that the relationship is neither a primary nor critical factor in desensitization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Processes of fear reduction in systematic desensitization: An addendum to Wilson and Davison (1971).

Discusses recent studies in the context of G. Wilson and G. Davidson's (see record 1972-03144-001) review of fear reduction techniques. Studies pairing positive ICS with circumstances eliciting avoidance demonstrate the possibility of counterconditioning and provide an experimental basis for certain procedures of systematic desensitization. (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)     

Contribution of selective positive reinforcement and therapeutic instructions to systematic desensitization therapy.

Ss were 30 female undergraduates with severe fear of snakes. Following treatment, the increase in approach behavior was significantly greater for Group 1 (graded hierarchy, relaxation, reinforcement, and therapeutic instructions) than for Group 2 (graded hierarchy and relaxation only). Group 2 did not differ significantly from a no-treatment control group. Results pose certain problems for reciprocal inhibition conceptions, and suggest that the effects of systematic desensitization cannot be attributed solely to the variables of a graded hierarchy plus relaxation. (20 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Treatment of insomnia using a variant of systematic desensitization.

Describes the treatment of a case of severe insomnia. The treatment, a variant of systematic desensitization, was short and apparently quite successful. The primary difference between usual desensitization procedures and those employed in this case was the absence of a fear hierarchy. A trainee-O was present during several training and early therapy sessions. He observed 2 therapy sessions and then became the therapist. He was directly supervised for 2 more therapy sessions and then continued treatment singly. The case illustrates the flexibility of behavior therapy in both procedural variations and in training of therapists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of attention-placebo influences in the efficacy of systematic desensitization.

Compared systematic desensitization with 2 attention-placebo control treatments-one taken from G. L. Paul's 1966 technique and one currently devised as an elaborate, highly impressive therapeutic experience-and no treatment. It was hypothesized that (a) fear reductions following desensitization would be no greater than those associated with an equally compelling placebo treatment and (b) fear and control measure changes following the previously used attention-placebo treatment would be less than those following desensitization and the present placebo control manipulations. In an experiment with 39 female undergraduates both hypotheses were supported, although support for the 1st was more consistent than for the 2nd hypothesis. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)