Active Approach Does not Add to the Effects of in Vivo Exposure. Issue 1 (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Uijen, Sophie L.; van den Hout, Marcel; Engelhard, Iris M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of experimental psychopathology. Volume 6:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 112
• Page End: 125
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Approach behavior -- Spider phobia -- Fear -- Exposure and response prevention (ERP) -- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT); Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.5127/jep.042014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2043-8087

Abstract

In exposure therapy, anxiety patients actively approach feared stimuli to violate their expectations of danger and reduce fear. Prior research has shown that stimulus evaluation and behavior are reciprocally related. This suggests that approach behavior itself may decrease fear. This study tested whether approach behavior adds to the beneficial effects of exposure. Spider fearful women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: repeated exposure to a spider by pulling a cart with a jar containing the spider toward them (Exposure + approach) or by having the experimenter do this (Exposure only), or no exposure. Exposure decreased self-reported and behavioral spider fear, compared to no exposure. The decrease was similar for exposure with and without the approach manipulation. No effects were found on affective priming. Our results did not show an added effect of approach by pulling a feared stimulus toward you to exposure. However, the mere visual impression of approach, and/or the decision to approach may have reduced fear.