آیا حواس پرتی باعث کاهش ترس در طول مواجهه می شود؟ آزمون میان افراد حیوانات ترس

Theoretical conceptualizations of distraction as an inhibitor of fear reduction during exposure were tested among 60 subjects with marked animal fears. Subjects underwent high or low intensity in vivo exposure in the presence of highly affective slides (high distraction), neutral slides (low distraction), or no slides. Self-reported attention did not differ between the high and low distraction groups; thus, data from these groups were combined in the analyses. The combination of distraction and high exposure intensity was found to interfere both with self-reported fear reduction during exposure and with the pre- to post-exposure behavioral approach tasks; improvement in pre- to post-exposure behavioral approach was impeded also. Distraction had no impact under low intensity exposure conditions. Counter to prediction, return of fear was not evident across groups. Heart rate increased in all groups during exposure, suggesting a possible sensitization effect. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed, and recommendations for future research are provided.