Effect of Instructions Upon an Autonomic Response
An Analogue of Systematic Desensitization
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13664193 |
|---|---|
| Authors | David P Himle (corresponding author) |
| Year | 1973 |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 767-773 |
| Publication date | 1973-06-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Psychological Reports (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.2466/pr0.1973.32.3.767 |
| PMID | 4704756 |
| OpenAlex | W2034650903 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 5 |
The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of different types of instructions on autonomic arousal. The instructions were presented to 42 Ss after a series of muluplicarion trials. The multiplication trials were defined as autonomic stressors, acd the recovery of autonomic responses was measured. Mental relaxation instructions resulted in superior recovery of skin resistance levels over other types of instructions (p < .01). The findings were interpreted as supporting Rachrnan's (1968) hypothesis concerning the lack of the necessity of physical relaxation instructions for systematic desensitization. According to Wolpe (1958), desensitization consists of two major elements: muscular relaxation and other incompatible responses to anxiety, and a graded and gradual presentation of anxiety evoking stimuli. According to this literature, muscular relaxation facilitates the reduction of anxiety to phobic or other anxiety producing stimuli. A number of investigators have questioned whether muscular relaxation is necessary for successful desensitization. Desensitization has been accomplished in situations where there has been brief training in relaxation (Cooke, 1966; Paul, 1966; Ramsey, et al., 1966) and without training in relaxation techniques (Ricter, 1968; Cooper, et al., 1969). A futther indication that muscular relaxation may not be necessary for desensitization is found in studies by Lader and Mathews, cited in Rachman's ( 1968) micle. Lader found that Ss who stated that they felt calm showed no decline in electtomyogram amplitude. Mathews reported that Ss showed reductions in muscle tension by means of instructions to feel calm and peaceful. A number of other investigators have found little difference in the effect of various types of instructions which lowered autonomic responses, including instructions which emphasized and did not emphasize muscular relaxation (Grossberg, 1965; O'ConneU & Ome, 1968; Mathews & Gelder, 1969; Lader & Mathews, 1968; Paid & Trimble, 1970; Edelrnan, 1970a, 1970b). The assumption may be made therefore that mental relaxation and mental calmness may be a sufficient condition for successful desensitization and a general reduction of stress. If this assumption is correct, what has been reported in the desensitization literature as a state of relaxation may have been a feeling of mental calmness and have very little to do with the state of muscular tension. Perhaps experiments were able to induce in Ss a feeling of mental tranquility through the monotonous repetition of instructions related to mental calmness. Since Wolpe's method of systematic desensitizacion rests upon the assumption
Anxiety · Cognitive psychology · Desensitization (medicine · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Systematic desensitization · Clinical Psychology · Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Neuroscience · Psychology · Stress Responses and Cortisol
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |