Habituation versus operant learning in the treatment of anger and anxiety

Previous researchers have found that individuals who are constantly angry suffer severe physical, emotional, and interpersonal consequences (e.g., Deffenbacher, Oetting, Lynch & Morris, 1996; DiGiuseppe & Tafrate, 2007; Ostell, 1992; Suinn, 2001). However, a lack of research into the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of anger related psychopathology has hampered the development of robust empirically supported treatments for disordered anger (DiGiuseppe & Tafrate, 2007). In this analogue study, the researcher compared the efficacy of two single-session treatments for reducing state anger in response to visual imagery of provocative situations in a college/non-clinical sample. That is, traditional Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP [imaginal exposure focusing on affect until habituation occurs]) was compared to exposure therapy consisting of imaginal exposure while practicing rational coping statements derived from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (Ellis & MacLaren, 2005). The effect of these two treatments for reducing state anxiety was explored as well. Sixty-four participants completed the study. Results indicated that both treatments were equally effective in significantly reducing self-reported emotional arousal (anger or anxiety, depending upon condition) after 60 minutes of treatment and these improvements were maintained at one-week follow-up. We failed to replicate these findings with emotion arousal measured by changes in heart rate. Additionally, neither ratings of image clarity during treatment, nor ratings of perceived justification for emotional reaction to the target situation were associated with differing degrees of treatment efficacy.