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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 1973-08, Vol.41 (1), p.86-92
Main Authors: McReynolds, William T, Barnes, Allan R, Brooks, Samuel, Rehagen, Nicholas J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Attention
Behavior Therapy
Cognitive Dissonance
Evaluation Studies as Topic
Experimental Design
Fear
Female
Frustration
Human
Humans
Phobic Disorders - therapy
Placebo
Self Concept
Snakes
Systematic Desensitization Therapy
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Summary: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)
ISSN:0022-006X
1939-2117
DOI:10.1037/h0035622