Relationship factors in desensitization: A persistent trend.

Abstract

The persistent theme contending that relational factors are relevant to the outcome of behavior therapy necessitated the replication with adequate controls of a previous study by these authors. The aim of the study was to explore the relevance to the outcome of desensitization of same-sex and opposite-sex pairings of subjects and experimenters. Twelve groups, consisting of all subjectexperimenter same-or opposite-sex combinations were employed. Confirming the findings of the earlier work that subject-experimenter sex pairing is irrelevant, the study, however, revealed significant differences between the pseudodesensitization and the no treatment control groups. It was concluded that the inclusion of pseudodesensitization groups in experimental studies is imperative, and that the role of relational factors is by no means a closed issue.

Counselor-subject sex variables in systematic desensitization.

“…The sex interaction finding in this study is not in agreement with those of three desensitization studies that attempted to deal directly with sex differences (Cotler, 1970;Nawas & Pucel, 1971;Pucel & Nawas, 1970). Those studies, all of which reported no sex differences, employed automated treatments involving minimal counselor interaction in the treatment of snake phobia.…”

“…"Counselor present" treatment, which allows more opportunity for awareness and interaction, provides a more stringent testing of the sex variable. While dismissing sex pairing as a variable, Nawas and Pucel (1971) built a case for relational factors (involvement, expectancy, subject effort, counselor attention) as "confounding variables" in desensitization that, nevertheless, "approximate the real-life ongoing interactional clinical process of psychotherapy" (p. 242). It does not seem reasonable to exclude sex as a relational variable in the interaction when one considers the research in sex role perception.…”

“…A careful review of recent research revealed only four studies that dealt with the sex variable in systematic desensitization: Robinson and Suinn (1969), Cotler (1970), Pucel and Nawas (1970), and Nawas and Pucel (1971). The Robinson and Suinn study reported a Female Subject X Female Counselor interaction on a self-rating measure of spider anxiety but not on a general measure of fear nor on a behavioral measure of fear.…”

Some implications of psychotherapy research for clinical psychology

“…Although the absence of a therapist rules out therapist effects, once he is present, he may well affect (for either good or ill) even a process which could have been set up to run without him. Similarly, the absence of sex-pairing effects in desensitization (Nawas & Pucel, 1971) is poor evidence against the sort of relationship factors implied by the Vitalo and the Mickelson & Stevic studies. Indeed, Morris & Suckerman (1974a, b) have demonstrated the effect of therapist warmth on the effectiveness of systematic desensitization, whether this is carried out 'live' (Morris & Suckerman, 1974u), or by an automated procedure with a pre-recorded therapist (Moms & Suckerman, 1974b).…”

Beyond reinforcement: Integrating relationship and behavior therapy

“…The "active ingredient" of relationship in both schools is the same, we believe, despite the difference in concentration of effort. Nawas and Pucel (1971) conducted an experiment testing for the relationship factors operating in systematic desensitization. Working with snake phobias, they divided their subjects into three treatment groups.…”