Citation

Weinberger J, Siegel P, Siefert C, Drwal J. Conscious. Cogn. 2011; 20(2): 173-180.

Affiliation

Derner Institute, Adelphi University, Box 701, Garden City, NY 11530, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.concog.2011.01.003

PMID

21300558

Abstract

We examined effects of exposure to unreportable images of spiders on approach towards a tarantula. Pretests revealed awareness of the stimuli was at chance. Participants high or low (top and bottom 15%) on fear of spiders were randomly assigned to receive computer-generated exposure to unreportable pictures of spiders or outdoor scenes. They then engaged in a Behavioral Approach Task (BAT) with a live tarantula. Non-fearful participants completed more BAT items than spider-fearful individuals. Additionally, as predicted, a significant interaction (F(1,48)=5.12, p<.03) between fear of spiders and stimulus demonstrated that spider-fearful participants exposed to spiders completed more BAT items than spider-fearful participants exposed to control stimuli (but not as many as non-fearful participants). The findings support the hypothesis that exposure to unreportable feared stimuli promotes approach towards the feared object. Future research and clinical implications were discussed.

Language: en