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A comparison of response exaggeration techniques
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|October 1, 1979
Summary
Response exaggeration techniques did not show differential effects in reducing social anxiety among college males. All groups improved, but no single method proved more effective than others or the placebo control.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Social anxiety is a prevalent issue among college students.
- Response exaggeration techniques are proposed interventions for social anxiety.
- Previous studies suggested efficacy of these techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of various response exaggeration techniques.
- To investigate if specific exaggeration components yield better results for social anxiety.
Main Methods:
- 34 socially anxious college males participated.
- Participants were assigned to groups: exaggerating anxiety manifestations, relevant/irrelevant anxiety response, exaggerated consequence, or placebo control.
- Effectiveness was measured by willingness to interact and anxiety levels in a role-play.
Main Results:
- All groups showed increased willingness to interact and decreased anxiety.
- No significant differences were found between the different response exaggeration techniques.
- The findings did not support previous research on the efficacy of these techniques.
Conclusions:
- Response exaggeration techniques, in their tested forms, did not demonstrate differential effectiveness for social anxiety.
- Further research may be needed to refine or validate these interventions.
- The study's results challenge existing literature on response exaggeration for social anxiety.