Exposure techniques in the reduction of fear: A comparative review of the procedure in animals and humans

Abstract

The clinical procedure of exposure therapy to treat phobias is described and reviewed. The animal analogue, called avoidance response prevention (or simply response prevention or flooding) is also described. The parallel studies of human and animal exposure are compared with emphasis on parameters of response prevention and procedures programmed during response prevention such as distraction, counterconditioning, reinforcement procedures, social facilitation and drug effects. Also, there is commentary on the neuroendocrine effects of exposure and response prevention. Our analyses suggest strong evidence for similar processes occurring during response prevention among both people and laboratory animals. Such a conclusion leads to generalizations being made concerning the most effective way to treat people with phobias. Nevertheless, many lacunae exist in the nearly parallel bodies of literature.