The current status of systematic desensitization

McGlynn, F. Dudley; Mealiea, Wallace L.; Landau, Denise L.

doi:10.1016/0272-7358(81)90001-5

Cited by 39 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…If that is the case, we can then relate the change principle quite reasonably to a plausible psychological process such as extinction (Evans & Wilson, 1968). Then, at the theoretical level, researchers can debate whether extinction follows the sorts of theories that emerged in classical conditioning or whether it can be better accounted for by altered cognitive expectancies and the processing of new rules about the probability of a threat (McGlynn, Mealiea, & Landau, 1981). But the conceptual categories are clear: SD is the treatment protocol (possibly one of many); exposure resulting in re-learning is the change mechanism; and classical extinction theories and cognitive re-appraisal theories (or both) the explanation for the learning effects.…”

Section: Principles Of Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Focus on Change: Implications for the Understanding and Evaluation of Psychological Interventions

Evans¹,

Fletcher²

2013

PSYCHOLOGIA -An International Journal of Psychological Sciences

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Within psychotherapy research traditions there are two cultures. One group of investigators, emphasizing the commonalities inherent in different schools of therapy and recognizing the extreme variability across clients and therapists, focuses on the interpersonal and emotional interactions between client and therapist as the agency of change in client well-being. The other, characterized by the cognitivebehavioral approach and supporting the empirically-supported treatment movement, focuses on the replicable procedures and techniques designed for and tailored to symptom change within specific syndromes. Both approaches are now drawing together by virtue of the growing recognition that all therapy can be represented as the arrangement of social and psychological experiences that facilitate change. We discuss some implications of this change model and describe some of the complexities of the changes that take place within the course of psychotherapy. Some broad principles of change are suggested and related concepts, such as meansends relationships, response interrelationships, and practical and psychological barriers to change are briefly outlined. The value of monitoring change in clients, a long-standing tradition in behavior therapy, is argued, with one additional twist proposed, namely the monitoring of client experiences and actions that themselves facilitate change, regardless of the targeted problem area.

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Section: Principles Of Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Focus on Change: Implications for the Understanding and Evaluation of Psychological Interventions

Evans¹,

Fletcher²

2013

PSYCHOLOGIA -An International Journal of Psychological Sciences

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“…There is a potential risk that such strategies might reduce the effectiveness of treatment, either by reducing habituation or by reducing the opportunities for imaginal rehearsal (McGlynn, Mealiea & Landau, 1981). The data on this issue are mixed (Rodriguez & Craske, 1993).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of visuospatial tasks on desensitization to emotive memories

Kavanagh

Freese

Andrade

et al. 2001

British J Clinic Psychol

182

152

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Objectives: Vivid and intrusive memories of extreme trauma can disrupt a stepwise approach to imaginal exposure. Concurrent tasks that load the visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSSP) of working memory reduce memory vividness during imaginal exposure. Such tasks may help maintain a progressive exposure protocol while minimizing distress during treatment. The current study tested whether relief of distress from a competing VSSP load during emotive imagery is at the cost of impaired desensitization.Design: This study examined repeated exposure to emotive memories using 18 unselected undergraduates, using a within-subjects design.

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“…Problematically, the typical experiments that followed Lang's early reports were flawed in multiple ways, for example, subjects were insufficiently fearful and experimental demand effects were uncontrolled (cf. Kazdin & Wilcoxon, 1976;McGlynn, Mealiea, & Landau, 1981). The widespread methodological flaws occasioned criticism, especially an in-depth critique of analogue research methods (Bernstein & Paul, 1971) that appeared by invitation in Wolpe's Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comment on the Status of Systematic Desensitization

2004

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Articles about systematic desensitization that appeared in mainstream behavior therapy journals between the years 1970 and 2002 were counted. Graphic displays of the data point to a sudden and lasting decline of interest in systematic desensitization among academics and researchers. A questionnaire concerning clinical use of orthodox systematic desensitization was mailed to 310 selected providers. Returns from 171 of those providers show that use of systematic desensitization has declined but continues to be fairly widespread. The decline of interest in systematic desensitization is explained: arguments are offered that revitalized interest would be beneficial but is not likely to occur.

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The current status of systematic desensitization

Cited by 39 publications

References 67 publications

Focus on Change: Implications for the Understanding and Evaluation of Psychological Interventions

Focus on Change: Implications for the Understanding and Evaluation of Psychological Interventions

Effects of visuospatial tasks on desensitization to emotive memories

Comment on the Status of Systematic Desensitization

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