Using speech anxiety as the target behavior, this study compared two self-control desensitization procedures. Speech-anxious community residents (N=42) volunteered for participation in the program and were seen within a group context for a total of seven therapy sessions. No differential effectiveness was found between the two desensitization…

Finds that exposure to graphic photographs of worms taken from a horror film increased children's enjoyment of the horror movie segment and reduced fear reactions to the scene. Shows that exposure to a live earthworm was effective in reducing fear reactions to the movie only among boys but did alter children's affective reactions to and judgments…

The influence of two of the variables in Leitenberg's graduated exposure technique for treating phobias, graduated exposure and subject control of the exposure time, was investigated using 15 snake-phobic subjects. Subjective fear significantly decreased from pretesting to posttesting. (Author)

In the context of a "reinforced practice" treatment paradigm, the present study experimentally analyzed whether or not feedback superimposed upon contingent praise would have an additive therapeutic effect. (Author)

The article discusses the value of using mental imagery (MI) in personal efforts to achieve life goals. The process of relaxing, reducing fear, and remembering is described, followed by a discussion of MI and self-worth. Other issues mentioned are the strengthening and weakening of behavior, and resistance. (Author/BW)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the function of positive attentional cues as cognitive factors in the modification of fear responses in a desensitization-like treatment procedure. Positive attentional cues are defined as positively-valenced descriptors of the feared stimulus. Two groups of two subjects each were assessed as to the…

Assessed relative effects of therapist empathy and instructed imagination of heirarchy scenes on avoidance behavior reduction. Imagery instructions delivered in a relatively unempathetic fashion produced as much avoidance reduction as imagery instructions delivered in an empathetic manner. (Author)

An overview of the behaviorally-oriented fear reduction methods for children is presented. Systematic desensitization and related procedures, flooding-related therapies, contingency management approaches, modeling procedures, and self-control methods are discussed after reviewing normative and prevalence data regarding children's fears. Research…

Compared the effectiveness of systematic and self-control desensitization in 35 test-anxious college students. Results showed both treatments were equally effective and resulted in improved grades and reduced anxiety. The delayed treatment group reported improved self-concept as well as reduced anxiety. (JAC)

Tested the effectiveness of a behavior modification program to reduce test anxiety in 97 self-referred students. Results indicated that students who participated in the program had improved their academic averages more than the control group and reported less debilitating anxiety. There was no comparable finding for facilitating anxiety. (JAC)

The data on approach to snakes provides srong support for the contention that the behavorial avoidance test is not immune to bias introduced by the operation of situational variables that have usually been allowed to vary in uncontrolled fashion in psychotherapy analogue research. Behavior of test subjects can be influenced not only in terms of…

Thirty-two Snake-fearing Ss viewed a videotape of four therapists who described and illustrated their techniques for treating fear of snakes. After describing their liking or disliking of each of the therapies, 16 Ss were assigned a preferred therapy, and the other 16 were given a nonpreferred therapy. The findings argue for the practice of having…

A counselor relates some of his first experiences and feelings as a counselor. The use of a few specific skills is briefly discussed. (RP)

Female snake-phobic subjects were assigned to one of three treatments: warm automated therapist procedure, cold automated therapist procedure, or control. Results showed significantly more improvement among subjects in the first group. (Author)

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the GSR during systematic desensitization. Three groups of females each were preselected for high snake fear. Outcome measures indicated that the desensitization group reduced phobic behavior most, followed by the relaxation group, and then the exposure groups. (Author)