Effects of relaxation training on fear and arousal during in vivo exposure to a caged snake among DSM-III-R simple (snake) phobics.
Eight pairs of DSM-III-R snake phobic subjects (Ss) were exposed to a caged snake while seated in front of a package-conveyor apparatus during eight 4-minute trials. Heart rates and skin-conductance levels were recorded before and during each of the eight trials. Self-reports of fear were obtained after each trial. One S in each pair controlled the conveyor on alternating trials. One subject (S) in each pair had received a representative regimen of relaxation training beforehand. Heart-rate decreased more in Ss controlling the conveyor than in their yoked partners. Ss who had received relaxation training showed lower heart-rate change, lower skin-conductance change, and lower self-reports of fear after the exposure trials. Relaxed Ss also moved the snake closer to themselves than did unrelaxed subjects on some trials.
McGlynn
F D
FD
Department of Psychology, Auburn University, AL 36849-5214, USA.
Moore
P M
PM
Rose
M P
MP
Lazarte
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012911:Snakes; D012931:Social Environment