title: Can Rachman's indirect pathways be used to un-learn fear? A prospective paradigm to test whether children's fears can be reduced using positive information and modelling a non-anxious response.
abstract: This study investigated whether children's fears could be un-learned using Rachman's indirect pathways for learning fear. We hypothesised that positive information and modelling a non-anxious response are effective methods of un-learning fears acquired through verbal information. One hundred and seven children aged 6-8 years received negative information about one animal and no information about another. Fear beliefs and behavioural avoidance were measured. Children were randomised to receive positive verbal information, modelling, or a control task. Fear beliefs and behavioural avoidance were measured again. Positive information and modelling led to lower fear beliefs and behavioural avoidance than the control condition. Positive information was more effective than modelling in reducing fear beliefs and both methods significantly reduced behavioural avoidance. The results support Rachman's indirect pathways as viable fear un-learning pathways and supports associative learning theories.
authors.affiliation: University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK. vicky.kelly@phnt.swest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Vicky L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Andy P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome