Graded imagination and relaxation as components of experimental desensitization: a psychophysiological evaluation.

Studied the effects of aversive imagery gradation and muscular relaxation as procedural variables within desensitization by using (pre-vs. posttreatment) peripherally cued electrodermal responsivity as the dependent-variable measure of fear. There was no evidence that experimental desensitization or any of its procedural components yielded attenuated electrodermal responsivity to the peripheral fear cue. Because this result derives from a relatively well-done study, it poses a challenge to widespread notions about the vehicle of therapeutic effects from desensitization.