Experimental desensitization of snake-avoidance after an instructional manipulation

McGlynn, F. Dudley; Gaynor, R D; Puhr, John J.

doi:10.1002/1097-4679(197204)28:2<224::aid-jclp2270280232>3.0.co;2-4

Cited by 11 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…To date, at least 11 studies have shown that credible expectancy modification procedures are capable of producing as great a reduction in fear as that produced by systematic desensitization (Gatchel, Hatch, Maynard, Turns, & Taunton-Blackwood, 1979; Kirsch & Henry, 1977; Kirsch et al, 1983; Lick, 1975; Marcia, Rubin, & Efran, 1969; McGlynn, 1971; McGlynn, Gaynor, & Puhr, 1972; McGlynn, Reynolds, & Linder, 1971; McReynolds et al, 1973; Slutsky & Allen, 1978; Tori & Worell, 1973). In addition, Gelder et al (1973) found an expectancy modification procedure to be as effective as desensitization in treating animal and tissue damage phobias.…”

Section: Expectancy and Fearmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response expectancy as a determinant of experience and behavior.

Kirsch¹

1985

American Psychologist

895

710

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Response expectancies, defined as expectancies of the occurrence of nonvolitional responses, have generally been ignored in theories of learning. Research on placebos, hypnosis, and fear reduction indicates that response expectancies generate corresponding subjective experiences. In many cases, the genuineness of these self-reported effects has been substantiated by corresponding changes in behavior and physiological function. The means by which response expectancies affect experience, physiology, and behavior are hypothesized to vary as a function of response mode. The generation of changes in subjective experience by corresponding response expectancies is hypothesized to be a basic psychological mechanism. Physiological effects are accounted for by the mindbody identity assumption that is common to all nondualist philosophies of psychology. The effects of response expectancies on volitional behavior are due to the reinforcing properties of many nonvolitional responses. Classical conditioning appears to be one method by which response expectancies are acquired, but response expectancy effects that are inconsistent with a conditioning hypothesis are also documented.Expectancy is a central construct in a number of influential theories of learning (Bolles, 1972;Rotter, 1954;Tolman, 1932). BoUes (1972) classified expectancy constructs into two types. R-S expectancies are beliefs about the relation between behavior and environmental consequences. S-S expectancies are beliefs that certain stimulus events or cues predict the occurrence of other stimulus events. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to a type of expectancy that has demonstrable effects on experience, behavior, and physiological function but that has not been considered in previous learning theories. Response expectancies are expectancies of the occurrence of nonvolitional responses, either as a function of behavior (R-R expectancies) or as a function of specific stimuli (S-R expectancies). In Rotter's (1954) social learning theory, the occurrence of a response is hypothesized to be a function of the expectancy that the behavior will be reinforced and of the value of the expected reinforcement. However, Rotter's theory is limited to the prediction of voluntary behavior. The response Placebo EffectsPlacebos are substances that are administered in the guise of active drugs but that do not in fact have the pharmacological properties attributed to them. Placebos can reduce clinical pain, increase arousal to erotic stimuli, reduce generalized anxiety and depression, cause or reduce feelings of nausea, and induce feelings of alertness, tension, relaxation, or drowsiness. These subjective responses are frequently accompanied by corresponding physiological changes, for example, changes in pulse rate, blood pressure, galvanic skin response, gastric function, penile tumescence, skin conditions, and possibly endorphin activity in the brain (Barber, 1978; Madatt & Rohsenow, 1980;Ross & Olson, 1982;Ross & Buckalew, 1983).Placebo effects generally correspon...

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Section: Expectancy and Fearmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response expectancy as a determinant of experience and behavior.

Kirsch¹

1985

American Psychologist

895

710

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“…Studies that have compared desensitization described as an effective therapy with desensitization disguised as an experimental or neutral procedure have led to inconsistent results. Whereas some investigations have shown that a therapeutic set results in better outcome than does a nontreatment set (Miller, 1972;Leitenberg et al, 1969;Oliveau, Agras, Leitenberg, Moore, & Wright, 1969), other investigations have shown no differences (Borkovec, 1972;McGlynn, 1971;McGlynn, Gaynor, & Puhr, 1972;McGlynn, Reynolds, & Linder, 1971a;Rosen, 1974).…”

Section: Expectancies For Change In Desensitizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic desensitization and nonspecific treatment effects: A methodological evaluation.

Kazdin¹,

Wilcoxon²

1976

Psychological Bulletin

444

213

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This paper evaluates the extent to which the therapeutic effects of systematic desensitization may be attributed to a specific therapy ingredient beyond nonspecific treatment effects. The vast majority of studies have not determined empirically whether desensitization and nonspecific treatment control conditions are equal in credibility and expectancy for improvement generated in the clients. Recent research suggests that control conditions commonly employed in desensitization research are less credible than desensitization and generate less expectancy for improvement on the part of the clients, and that desensitization is not superior to control groups that unambiguously rule out as a rival hypothesis differential expectancies across treatment and control conditions. A review of the research that has controlled for expectancies for improvement does not support the proposition that desensitization has a specific therapeutic ingredient. This review does not impugn the efficacy of desensitization. However, on purely methodological grounds, it appears that nonspecific treatment effects, at least at present, cannot be ruled out in accounting for the effects of desensitization. Strategies to control for differential credibility and expectancies for therapeutic change generated by treatment and comparison groups are presented.Numerous articles on systematic desensi-cific therapeutic ingredients beyond nonspetization have appeared, including extremely cific treatment factors account for behavior valuable reviews of the empirical literature as change. We examine from a purely methodowell as theoretical and conceptual treatises logical standpoint whether this assumption is (

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“…By way of contrast, the majority of the studies using the second type of expectancy manipulation have found significant effects on the outcome of desensitization. Specifically, six studies (Leitenberg, Agras, Barlow, & Oliveau, 1969;Miller, 1972;Oliveau, Agras, Leitenberg, Moore, & Wright, 1969;Persely & Leventhal, 1972;Rosen, 1974;Tori & Worell, 1973) have shown that therapeutic instructions produce significantly greater improvement than experimental instructions, whereas four studies (Borkovec, 1972;Mc-Glynn, 1971;McGlynn, Gaynor, & Puhr, 1972;McGlynn, Reynolds, & Linder, 1971a) have failed to show differences resulting from this expectancy manipulation. Lick and Bootzin (1975) have suggested that the latter four studies must be interpreted with caution, since only weak overall treatment effects were found in these studies.…”

Section: University Of Kansasmentioning

confidence: 99%