Desensitization and the experimental reduction of threat.

A systematic desensitization procedure and 2 of its components were tested for ability to reduce stress responses in a laboratory threat situation. Ss received 1 of 4 types of training procedures before exposure to a stressful film: an analogue of therapeutic desensitization, relaxation, cognitive rehearsal, or no-training control. Stress response during the showing of a dramatic film on industrial accidents was measured by concurrent self-report, heart rate, and skin-conductance measures. The results showed that the separate components of desensitization—relaxation and cognitive rehearsal—were as effective alone as when combined in the complete desensitization program. On several measures, cognitive rehearsal appeared to be the most effective threat reducer. Further recognition and exploration of "insight" functions served by such behavior-therapy techniques as systematic desensitization is urged.