This investigation focused on an empirical evaluation of the efficacy of preventative systematic desensitization, a recently developed psychotherapeutic technique intended to preclude the formation of a phobic or adverse autonomic reaction. While earlier research suggested the therapeutic viability of this technique, various methodological difficulties inherent in the experimental designs negated any clear an unequivocal statements regarding therapeutic efficacy. The design of the experiment central to this dissertation was developed expressly to avoid the methodological problems which characterized prior research, expand upon the hypothesis of earlier investigators, and evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic desensitization. The following results were obtained: (a) the experimental group did not show an increase in fear on the dependent measures following conditioning, (b) the placebo control group did show a significant increase in fear on the dependent measures following conditioning, (c) the group that received traditional systematic desensitization showed a significant fear increase after conditioning which was reduced to baseline following systematic desensitization, and (d) the measurements control group confirmed the above result and showed no significant differences in fear at retests. The major conclusion of this experiment is that within the context of the laboratory, it would appear that preventive systematic desensitization is an efficient psychotherapeutic technique. Further research designs and therapeutic strategies are discussed with regard to clients who may be expected to develop significant clinical phobias.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc935676 |
| Date | 08 1900 |
| Creators | Jaremko, Matthew Emmett |
| Contributors | Wenrich, W. W., 1932-, Johnson, Ray W., Hughes, Howard, 1937-, Kennelly, Kevin J., Black, Charles J., Jr. |
| Publisher | North Texas State University |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | ii, 84 leaves : ill., Text |
| Rights | Public, Jaremko, Matthew Emmett, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights |
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