Variables Affecting Wolpean Systematic Desensitization *

Abstract

French

Many variables influence the treatment course and outcome of desensitization under relaxation.

1) Relaxation is a significant aspect of desensitization. The optimum degree of relaxation necessary to this technique is unknown.

2) Hypnosis and suggestibility play a nebulous role, influencing speed of progress, relaxation and imagery.

3) The ability to evoke anxiety to imagined stimuli is essential to in vitro desensitization.

4) Interview-induced emotional responses, although demonstrated to have a significant affect upon desensitization, are not essential.

5) Interpretation, confrontation and insight are not significant aspects of psychotherapy by reciprocal inhibition.

6) Patients with a history of a conditioning process, a specific stimulus antecendent for anxiety and minimal free-floating anxiety, benefit most from desensitization.

7) The positive influence an understanding of the reciprocal inhibition theory has on patients' motivation, attitude and expectancy may be related to primary suggestibility.

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