Habituation and systematic desensitization

Stephenson, David (1982) Habituation and systematic desensitization. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

Lader and Mathews' (1968) maximal habituation model of systematic desensitization proposed that the mechanism underlying systematic desensitization is not reciprocal inhibition but habituation proceeding under optimal conditions. This account may be evaluated in terms of the concordance of parameters of habituation and those of systematic desensitization. However, there is a paucity of appropriate data from both areas, and Lader and Mathews have highlighted the particular need for information concerning massed and spaced practice in habituation. Consequently, effects of various forms of differential distribution of practice on short- and long-term habituation were investigated. There was no effect on short-term habituation, but practice spaced over days and that spaced over blocks within one session resulted in more long-term habituation than that massed into a single series. There was no difference between practice spaced into a series of short presentations and that massed into one, long presentation. These results provide some support for Lader and Mathews' model in that the facilitatory effect of practice spaced over days is concordant with results from systematic desensitization. The maximal habituation model may also be assessed in terms of predictions derived concerning habituation phenomena. One such prediction concerns the dishabituatory effects of coincidence of high arousal and presentation of a previously habituated stimulus. Two experiments were performed to test this prediction, and the results of both provided support for Lader and Mathews' model in that coincidence did delay subsequent rehabituation. Results from all experiments were discussed in terms of their implications for current theories of habituation. It was argued that in particular, results from the two experiments concerning coincidence of arousal and the habituated stimulus present major problems for all theories considered.

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