Facilitation of Group Desensitization of Test Anxiety

Abstract

To enhance the effects of group desensitization in the treatment of test anxiety, a modified desensitization procedure was used, calling for pairing a stimulus (tone) with relaxation training, then presenting the stimulus while Ss completed the test-anxiety hierarchy. 60 college freshmen with high test anxiety were divided into 4 groups of 15 Ss each. One group received the modified group-desensitization procedure while a second group received conventional group desensitization. Two control conditions were included: presentation of a tone while completing the test-anxiety hierarchy, and an attention-placebo condition. The modified desensitization procedure was more effective than conventional desensitization and the control conditions.