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Experimental reduction of stress based on ego-defense theory

Experimental reduction of stress based on ego-defense theory Previous research had shown that a silent film showing primitive adolescent "subincision" rites produced marked stress reactions. 3 sound tracks were created for the film and compared in impact with the silent version. 1, called the trauma track, pointed up the threatening aspect of the film. The other 2, based upon the theory of ego defense, were designed to encourage defensive interpretations of the film's contents so as to reduce threat. One consisted of denial and reaction formation statements about the film, the other was based on intellectualization. The trauma track increased evidences of stress response especially with respect to continuous recordings of skin conductance during the film. The defensive sound tracks reduced skin conductance evidence of stress response. The effectiveness of the defensive sound tracks interacted with the 2 S groups. Intellectualization was effective for the students and may have been also for the air executives, but denial was not as effective, at least for the student group. The findings supported the importance of the process of cognitive appraisal of threat in producing stress reactions, permitting the conclusion that the same visual stimulus varies in the amount of stress produced depending upon the nature of the cognitive appraisal the person makes regarding its significance for him. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Abnormal Psychology American Psychological Association

Experimental reduction of stress based on ego-defense theory

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Publisher
American Psychological Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1964 American Psychological Association
ISSN
0021-843X
eISSN
1939-1846
DOI
10.1037/h0048936
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Previous research had shown that a silent film showing primitive adolescent "subincision" rites produced marked stress reactions. 3 sound tracks were created for the film and compared in impact with the silent version. 1, called the trauma track, pointed up the threatening aspect of the film. The other 2, based upon the theory of ego defense, were designed to encourage defensive interpretations of the film's contents so as to reduce threat. One consisted of denial and reaction formation statements about the film, the other was based on intellectualization. The trauma track increased evidences of stress response especially with respect to continuous recordings of skin conductance during the film. The defensive sound tracks reduced skin conductance evidence of stress response. The effectiveness of the defensive sound tracks interacted with the 2 S groups. Intellectualization was effective for the students and may have been also for the air executives, but denial was not as effective, at least for the student group. The findings supported the importance of the process of cognitive appraisal of threat in producing stress reactions, permitting the conclusion that the same visual stimulus varies in the amount of stress produced depending upon the nature of the cognitive appraisal the person makes regarding its significance for him.

Journal

Journal of Abnormal Psychology – American Psychological Association

Published: Apr 1, 1964

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