Covariation bias and electrodermal responding in spider phobics before and after behavioural treatment.
The present study investigated whether a covariation bias is present in severe spider phobics and whether such bias is modified by successful treatment. In addition, this study sought to examine whether a covariation bias is linked to differential autonomic responding. Subjects were 20 untreated phobics, 19 treated phobics, and 18 no-fear controls. Subjects were exposed to a series of 72 slides comprising three categories: spiders (fear-relevant), mushrooms, and flowers. At slide offset one of three possible outcomes occurred: a shock, a tone, or nothing at all. All slide-outcome combinations occurred equally frequent. The results show that an equally strong covariation bias is present in severe spider phobics, in successfully treated phobics, and in no-fear controls. Thus, the present data only partially sustain earlier findings of Tomarken, A. J., Mineka, S. & Cook, M. (1989) (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 98, 381-394). The covariation bias appeared to be mimicked by differentially heightened autonomic responding. The current data suggest that both the covariation bias and the heightened physiological responding reflect a "beloningness" between spider slides and aversive outcome.
de Jong
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P
Department of Experimental Psychopathology/Mental Health Sciences, Limburg University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Merckelbach
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H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013112:Spiders