| Abstract: | Contends that emotions are represented by information structures in memory, and anxiety occurs when an information structure that serves as program to escape or avoid danger is activated. Emotional processing (EMP) is defined as the modification of memory structures that underlie emotions. It is argued that some form of exposure to feared situations is common to many psychotherapies for anxiety and that confrontation with feared objects or situations is an effective treatment. Physiological activation and habituation within and across exposure sessions are cited as indicators of EMP, and variables that influence activation and habituation of fear responses are examined. These variables and the indicators are analyzed to yield an account of what information must be integrated for EMP of a fear structure. The elements of such a structure are viewed as cognitive representations of the stimulus characteristic of the fear situation, the individual's responses in it, and aspects of its meaning for the individual. Treatment failures are interpreted with respect to the interference of cognitive defenses, autonomic arousal, mood state, and erroneous ideation with reformation of targeted fear structures. Implications for therapeutic practice and the study of psychopathology are discussed. (2? p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
