title: The effects of verbal information and approach-avoidance training on children's fear-related responses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effects of verbal information and approach-avoidance training on fear-related cognitive and behavioural responses about novel animals.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and sixty children (7-11 years) were randomly allocated to receive: a) positive verbal information about one novel animal and threat information about a second novel animal (verbal information condition); b) approach-avoidance training in which they repeatedly pushed away (avoid) or pulled closer (approach) pictures of the animals (approach-avoidance training), c) a combined condition in which verbal information was given prior to approach-avoidance training (verbal information + approach-avoidance training) and d) a combined condition in which approach-avoidance training was given prior to verbal information (approach-avoidance training + verbal information).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Threat and positive information significantly increased and decreased fear beliefs and avoidance behaviour respectively. Approach-avoidance training was successful in training the desired behavioural responses but had limited effects on fear-related responses. Verbal information and both combined conditions resulted in significantly larger effects than approach-avoidance training. We found no evidence for an additive effect of these pathways.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study used a non-clinical sample and focused on novel animals rather than animals about which children already had experience or established fears. The study also compared positive information/approach with threat information/avoid training, limiting specific conclusions regarding the independent effects of these conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study finds little evidence in support of a possible causal role for behavioural response training in the aetiology of childhood fear. However, the provision of verbal information appears to be an important pathway involved in the aetiology of childhood fear.
authors.affiliation: MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK; School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Pevensey Building, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK. Electronic address: k.lester@sussex.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Kathryn J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.affiliation: MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lisk
authors.affiliation: MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mikita
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Pevensey Building, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Woudestein T13, Postbus 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jorg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huijding
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rinck
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Pevensey Building, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK.
authors.forename: Andy P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Field
mesh_terms: D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D003142:Communication; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation
keywords: Approach-avoidance; Children; Fear; Verbal information