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)