Supports the claims that an inhibitory learning model of extinction has been proposed to optimise exposure, including expectancy violation and removal of safety signals, and that many people do not benefit or experience a return of fear. Recommendations are derived from theory and experiments, not tested here as a package.
Who was studied
Not applicable: a clinical-theoretical review with case illustrations.
Design
Review
Level of evidence
Cross-sectional, observational, qualitative work and narrative reviews.
Claims that rest on it
Each claim states what the site asserts, at what strength, and with what caveat.
TheoreticalLevel DConfidence MODERATE
Inhibitory learning accounts propose that exposure works by building new learning that competes with fear, recommend reducing safety signals, and note that many people do not benefit or experience a return of fear; other authors argue that avoidance can be adaptive depending on its function.
Scope
Theory of exposure-based treatment for anxiety-related difficulties.
Caveat
These are treatment principles delivered by clinicians; they are not self-help instructions, and the site does not recommend unsupervised exposure.
Last reviewed · Review due · inhibitory-learning-and-safety-behaviour
Sources
Craske, M. G., Treanor, M., Conway, C. C., Zbozinek, T., & Vervliet, B. (2014). Maximizing exposure therapy: An inhibitory learning approach. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2014.04.006
Level DReview
Supports the claims that an inhibitory learning model of extinction has been proposed to optimise exposure, including expectancy violation and removal of safety signals, and that many people do not benefit or experience a return of fear. Recommendations are derived from theory and experiments, not tested here as a package.
Hofmann, S. G., & Hay, A. C. (2018). Rethinking avoidance: Toward a balanced approach to avoidance in treating anxiety disorders. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.03.004
Level DReview
Supports the claim that avoidance maintains anxiety disorders in standard accounts but can, depending on its function, serve as a coping strategy that enhances perceived control. A theoretical argument.
Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. J. (1986). Emotional processing of fear: Exposure to corrective information. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.20
Level DTheory
Supports the claim that emotional processing theory requires activation of the fear structure plus corrective information. Theory; the efficacy of exposure therapies rests on later trials not cited here.