Imagery ability and exposure in vivo in spider phobia

Behav Res Ther. 1991;29(2):203-5. doi: 10.1016/0005-7967(91)90049-9.

Abstract

The present study deals with the effect of imagery ability on treatment outcome in spider phobias. Thirty-eight spider phobics completed the Questionnaire on Mental Imagery (QMI) and the Spider Questionnaire (SPQ). Subjects also went through a behavioral approach task (BAT) during which heart rate and avoidance behavior were measured. Each subject was then given one-session treatment as described by Ost. Immediately after treatment, SPQ and BAT data were again obtained. On the basis of their QMI scores, subjects were assigned to a 'good', 'moderate', or 'poor' imagers group. Neither pre-treatment nor post-treatment measures were found to vary as a function of imagery ability. Thus it appears that, at least for specific phobias such as spider fear, imagery ability is not a relevant variable for predicting the effects of in vivo exposure.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Aversive Therapy
  • Behavior Therapy*
  • Fear
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Imagination*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phobic Disorders / therapy*
  • Spiders