Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Reinking, Richard H.; Kohl, Marilyn L.

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.43.5.595pmid: N/A

Examined the relative effectiveness of 4 types of relaxation training using electromyograph (EMG) and self-report measures of relaxation as dependent measures. Ss were 50 undergraduates. The experimental groups were (a) classic Jacobson-Wolpe instructions, (b) EMG feedback, (c) EMG feedback plus Jacobson-Wolpe instructions, and (d) EMG feedback plus a monetary reward. These groups were compared with each other and a no-treatment control group over 3 baseline and 12 training periods. All groups reported increased relaxation, but EMG measures showed that in speed of learning and depth of relaxation the EMG groups were superior to the Jacobson-Wolpe group, and the control group did not master relaxation at all. (20 ref)

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.43.5.595pmid: N/A

Examined the relative effectiveness of 4 types of relaxation training using electromyograph (EMG) and self-report measures of relaxation as dependent measures. Ss were 50 undergraduates. The experimental groups were (a) classic Jacobson-Wolpe instructions, (b) EMG feedback, (c) EMG feedback plus Jacobson-Wolpe instructions, and (d) EMG feedback plus a monetary reward. These groups were compared with each other and a no-treatment control group over 3 baseline and 12 training periods. All groups reported increased relaxation, but EMG measures showed that in speed of learning and depth of relaxation the EMG groups were superior to the Jacobson-Wolpe group, and the control group did not master relaxation at all. (20 ref)

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.43.5.601pmid: N/A

Studied the effectiveness of therapeutic modeling by using models similar or dissimilar to observers in a class of behavior being modified (fear) and a characteristic (age) seemingly irrelevant to the modeled response. Ss were 50 2nd and 3rd graders. 40 Ss who showed behavioral fear of snakes viewed models of 1 of 4 types: fearless child, fearful child, fearless adult, fearful adult. In addition, 10 Ss saw no model in a control condition. Pre- and postmeasures of fear were taken on behavioral and attitude dimensions. With repsect to overt avoidance, model similarity on the response dimension (level of fear) was an unimportant variable, but model similarity on the age dimension was important. With respect to attitudes, more similar models produced the greatest change regardless of the dimension on which similarity occurred. An integration of these findings with other research is presented. (23 ref)

Kornhaber, Robert C.; Schroeder, Harold E.

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.43.5.601pmid: N/A

Studied the effectiveness of therapeutic modeling by using models similar or dissimilar to observers in a class of behavior being modified (fear) and a characteristic (age) seemingly irrelevant to the modeled response. Ss were 50 2nd and 3rd graders. 40 Ss who showed behavioral fear of snakes viewed models of 1 of 4 types: fearless child, fearful child, fearless adult, fearful adult. In addition, 10 Ss saw no model in a control condition. Pre- and postmeasures of fear were taken on behavioral and attitude dimensions. With repsect to overt avoidance, model similarity on the response dimension (level of fear) was an unimportant variable, but model similarity on the age dimension was important. With respect to attitudes, more similar models produced the greatest change regardless of the dimension on which similarity occurred. An integration of these findings with other research is presented. (23 ref)

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.43.5.608pmid: N/A

Investigated the efficacy of symbolic modeling and role-playing therapy in the reduction of avoidance behaviors in 48 undergraduates. Carefully selected snake-phobic Ss were administered either self-regulated symbolic modeling, self-regulated role-playing instructions, or exposure to a snake-only videotape, or they received no treatment. After brief treatment periods role-playing Ss demonstrated significantly greater reductions in avoidance behavior than Ss in the modeling and control conditions. Subjective fear ratings reported before and during task performance on a behavioral approach test were significantly lower for role-playing Ss than for modeling Ss following treatment. Posttreatment attitude measures showed that role-playing Ss held significantly more positive attitudes toward harmless snakes than Ss who had undergone the symbolic modeling procedure. A 2-mo follow-up suggested that treatment gains had been maintained for both behavioral and subjective reports. Findings provide compelling evidence that a self-administered role-playing procedure can effect rapid and enduring changes within a variety of dependent variable measures associated with avoidance. Findings are explained in terms of the behavioral modality (covert-overt) toward which a treatment is directed. (18 ref)

Lira, Frank T.; Nay, W. Robert; McCullough, James P.; Etkin, Michael W.

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.43.5.608pmid: N/A

Investigated the efficacy of symbolic modeling and role-playing therapy in the reduction of avoidance behaviors in 48 undergraduates. Carefully selected snake-phobic Ss were administered either self-regulated symbolic modeling, self-regulated role-playing instructions, or exposure to a snake-only videotape, or they received no treatment. After brief treatment periods role-playing Ss demonstrated significantly greater reductions in avoidance behavior than Ss in the modeling and control conditions. Subjective fear ratings reported before and during task performance on a behavioral approach test were significantly lower for role-playing Ss than for modeling Ss following treatment. Posttreatment attitude measures showed that role-playing Ss held significantly more positive attitudes toward harmless snakes than Ss who had undergone the symbolic modeling procedure. A 2-mo follow-up suggested that treatment gains had been maintained for both behavioral and subjective reports. Findings provide compelling evidence that a self-administered role-playing procedure can effect rapid and enduring changes within a variety of dependent variable measures associated with avoidance. Findings are explained in terms of the behavioral modality (covert-overt) toward which a treatment is directed. (18 ref)

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.43.5.619pmid: N/A

Established helper-judged frequency and discomfort values for potentially challenging interaction situations between nonprofessional child aides and young maladapting school children. Ss were 49 child aides with 1-3 yrs intensive experience, under supervision, with 10-50 primary graders. Helper discomforts were found to cluster meaningfully. Child aggression, family problems, and limit-testing behavior produced greater helper discomfort than the child's need to have the aide for himself or to be dependent. Rarely experienced situations had the highest judged discomfort ratings.

Cowen, Emory L.; Lorion, Raymond P.; Caldwell, Robert A.

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.43.5.619pmid: N/A

Established helper-judged frequency and discomfort values for potentially challenging interaction situations between nonprofessional child aides and young maladapting school children. Ss were 49 child aides with 1-3 yrs intensive experience, under supervision, with 10-50 primary graders. Helper discomforts were found to cluster meaningfully. Child aggression, family problems, and limit-testing behavior produced greater helper discomfort than the child's need to have the aide for himself or to be dependent. Rarely experienced situations had the highest judged discomfort ratings.

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.43.5.626pmid: N/A

Asked members of 5 "mental illness gatekeeper" professions (N = 178) from 2 different communities to evaluate 190 behavioral items for the mental illness implications of the behavior described in each item. Items were largely derived from the MMPI and were analyzed in terms of 13 content homogeneous clusters. Professional groups differed significantly in their general readiness to "see" mental illness in the total pool of items. Groups also differed in the ways they defined mental illness in behavioral terms. This was evidenced by between-groups differences on cluster scores when total level of endorsement was used as a covariate. Main effects for professional group differences were obtained for those clusters of items containing the less deviant forms of behavior. For those clusters containing the more severe forms of deviance, Professional Group * Community interaction effects were found. Results are discussed in terms of the professional and social functions that each of these professions seems to serve in the 2 types of communities surveyed.

Coie, John D.; Costanzo, Philip R.; Cox, Gary

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.43.5.626pmid: N/A

Asked members of 5 "mental illness gatekeeper" professions (N = 178) from 2 different communities to evaluate 190 behavioral items for the mental illness implications of the behavior described in each item. Items were largely derived from the MMPI and were analyzed in terms of 13 content homogeneous clusters. Professional groups differed significantly in their general readiness to "see" mental illness in the total pool of items. Groups also differed in the ways they defined mental illness in behavioral terms. This was evidenced by between-groups differences on cluster scores when total level of endorsement was used as a covariate. Main effects for professional group differences were obtained for those clusters of items containing the less deviant forms of behavior. For those clusters containing the more severe forms of deviance, Professional Group * Community interaction effects were found. Results are discussed in terms of the professional and social functions that each of these professions seems to serve in the 2 types of communities surveyed.