The role of imagery in the maintenance and treatment of snake fear.
Two studies assessed the role of mental imagery in the maintenance of fear of common phobic stimuli. Study 1 asked participants who were afraid of a wide range of phobic stimuli to report their visual and somatic imagery. Blind ratings of the imagery on horror and vividness were positively correlated with participant's self-reported fear and avoidance. Study 2 tested the efficacy of modifying imagery using cognitive restructuring compared to in vivo exposure and a minimal exposure, relaxation control in snake fearful participants. Both active treatment groups improved significantly more than the control group in self-reported snake fearfulness and behavioral approach. Condition also interacted with initial severity. Highly fearful subjects responded better to the cognitive imagery modification than to the in vivo exposure, and found the cognitive intervention significantly less aversive. These results are seen as supporting a cognitive model of the maintenance of specific phobia.
University of Pennsylvania, 3720 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6241, USA. mhunt@psych.upenn.edu
Melissa
M
Hunt
Lauren
L
Bylsma
Johanna
J
Brock
Miriam
M
Fenton
Anya
A
Goldberg
Ronnen
R
Miller
Tanya
T
Tran
Jessica
J
Urgelles
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D012911:Snakes; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome