In this study, both the semantic and systematic desensitization methods were found to be significantly more effective than the implosive therapy and the control treatments in the modification of phobic behavior among the college student population. (Author)

Effects of systematic desensitization and anxiety management training in reducing test anxiety and generalizing to other anxieties were compared. Both desensitization and anxiety management training produced significant reduction of text anxiety, but by follow-up, anxiety management training produced significantly more test-anxiety reduction on…

Anxious students were randomly assigned to a wait-list control group; to three groups aided by experienced behavior therapists; or to three groups led by paraprofessionals. Results show paraprofessionals can achieve outcome and maintenance effects equivalent to more rigorously trained professionals. Paraprofessionals can conduct desensitization in…

This study examined the nature of the anxiety reduction resulting from the administration of a film designed to reduce anxiety about snakes. One-hundred-sixty high school seniors viewed either a modeling film or a control film. As expected, the modeling group, compared to control subjects, experienced significantly greater decrements on…

From 300 introductory psychology students, 40 female "snake phobics" were selected to test the hypothesis that distraction paired with fearful imagery is effective in alleviating the "phobia." Subjects were divided into three treatment groups and a control group: H+PI (fear hierarchy plus pleasant imagery as distraction), H+P…

Desensitization therapy was offered to Israeli soldiers suffering from fears developed as a result of their participation in the Yom Kippur War. Two kinds of in vivo desensitization procedures used were: (a) an individual self-administered in vivo desensitization and (b) in vivo desensitization in dyads. Advantages of these procedures discussed.…

Describes systematic desensitization as a form of behavior therapy for reducing anxiety. Examines its rationale and clinical practice and explores two features of the technique (relaxation and anxiety hierarchy) as they may be applied to classroom speech instruction for reticent students. (JMF)

One snake-phobic woman and one spider-phobic woman, after having received systematic desensitization, were exposed to a live snake or spider in a caged or an uncaged condition. The implications of these findings for the external validity of the behavioral approach test are discussed. (EJT)

The paper describes a group desensitization program aimed at assisting students to perform to the best of their ability in a testing situation if they suffer from extreme debilitating anxiety. Since the problem is pervasive and the number of trained limited, the author suggests that the group program is an efficient and effective method of…

Two elementary teachers were given systematic desensitization and behavior modification training to help them manage their feelings of anxiety and establish classroom control. Changes in teacher and student classroom behavior were recorded through daily observations by trained observers. The observers recorded teacher praise and criticism as well…

Rather than coach students into stereotypes, the author recommends the use of techniques designed to teach them how to relax and project their true personalities. (Editor)

Assesses effectiveness of two desensitization strategies for reducing children's emotional reactions to mass media. Examines children having passive exposure, modeled exposure, or no exposure to lizards before watching a horror movie involving lizards. Finds that modeled exposure decreases emotional reactions and negative interpretations, whereas…

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the effects of brief treadmill exercise and meditation with a placebo-control treatment for reduction in several physiological and psychological measures of stress, anxiety, and tension before and after a written final examination in 48 high-test anxiety subjects. The subjects, 24 men and 24 women,…

The purpose of this research was to demonstrate that an audiotape desensitization treatment procedure, administered over a 19-day period, would be an effective means of treating test-taking anxiety. Subjects were students seeking treatment from a university counseling center. Results indicated that the treated subjects showed significant…

The effect of anxiety on learning in a variety of educational contexts is examined, and two areas of anxiety research that are especially relevant to educational psychology are discussed in detail: the interaction between anxiety and instructional methods, and test anxiety reduction programs and their outcomes. (Author/RD)