Faculty Publications

Comparison Of Three Methods Of Reducing Test Anxiety: Systematic Desensitization, Implosive Therapy, And Study Counseling

Document Type

Article

Keywords

systematic desensitization vs implosive therapy vs study counseling, reducing test anxiety, college students

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Counseling Psychology

Volume

20

Issue

6

First Page

499

Last Page

503

Abstract

Administered the Alpert-Haber Achievement Anxiety Test to 39 undergraduates. Finger sweat prints were also included as anxiety measures. Ss were assigned to 4 groups: systematic desensitization, implosive therapy, study counseling, and a no-treatment control group. Groups met for 4 1-hr sessions for 2 wks. Results suggest that systematic desensitization is more effective in reducing debilitating anxiety than either implosive therapy or study counseling and that implosive therapy is more effective than study counseling, which was not significantly different than no treatment. No significant differences between treatments were found on the physiological measure of anxiety, GPAs (compared before and after treatment), or facilitating anxiety. Findings support previous studies comparing desensitization and study counseling. (18 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1973 American Psychological Association.

Department

Department of Psychology

Original Publication Date

11-1-1973

DOI of published version

10.1037/h0035172

Link to Full Text

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