Group preprogrammed systematic desensitization without the simultaneous presentation of aversive scenes with relaxation training

This study investigated the assumption that it is necessary to simultaneously present muscle relaxation and aversive scenes in order for decrements in anxiety to occur. Utilizing 70 high test anxious students, the following treatment groups were delineated: (a) preprogrammed systematic desensitization, (b) non-simultaneous (scenes presented prior to muscle relaxation), (c) relaxation, and (d) no-treatment control. Self-report measures of test and general anxiety as well as college grades constituted the dependent measures. The results indicated that there tended to be no significant differences between the preprogrammed systematic desensitization and non-simultaneous groups on the dependent measures and that the latter group tended to show significant decrements in anxiety and obtain better grades than the relaxation and no-treatment control groups. These findings question the necessity of simultaneously pairing muscle relaxation and aversive scenes in treating anxiety by this method.     

The role of reinforcement contingencies in chronic alcoholism: An experimental analysis of one case

investigators have questioned chronic alcoholics and round that some of them have returned to normal social drinking (Davies, 1962; Lemere, 1953; Nørvig and Nielsen, 1956; Selzer and Holloway. 1957; and Shea, 1954). These findings would seem inconsistent with such notions as loss of control or craving as the basis of compulsive drinking. Moreover, antecedents and consequences of these explanatory constructs, have not been elucidated. The purpose of this research was to make an intensive study of a single subject to see if specific conditions could be identified under which a chronic alcoholic's drinking could be controlled, in a setting in which environmental variables could be systematically varied and drinking behavior documented.     

A short duration group treatment of smoking behavior by stimulus saturation

Two saturation procedures of different lengths were administered to Ss who desired to quit smoking. Ss chain-smoked for either 20 hr (group E₁) or 10 hr (E₂). Total abstinence was the main dependent measure. Both groups experienced relatively equal success on a short-term basis. Long-term abstinence was noted for group E₁ only. Sixty per cent of the E₁ Ss were not smoking 4 months after treatment.