Drive level, incentive conditions and systematic densensitization

The role of drive level was investigated as it bears upon the process mechanism(s) involved in systematic desensitization. Drive was defined by subjects' performance on a pre-BAT. High and Low Drive subjects were randomly assigned to a systematic desensitization, a reward. an extinction, and a control condition. The results indicated that systematic desensitization was the most effective condition for both high and low drive subjects. However, there were indications that both the extinction and reward conditions may be effective with further trials. The suggestion was that systematic desensitization might be the more efficient, but not the sole effective treatment. If so, the process mechanism involved is likely to be extinction rather than reciprocal inhibition. The role of relaxation, then, would be one of an incentive that permits the subject to maintain exposure to the feared stimuli, thus facilitating extinction.