Studies // Cited work
Emotional processing of fear: Exposure to corrective information
Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. J. (1986). Emotional processing of fear: Exposure to corrective information.
Level D Theory doi:10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.20
What this study supports
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.
- Who was studied
- Not applicable: a theoretical account of emotional processing of fear.
- Design
- Theory
- 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 HIGH
Emotional processing theory holds that lasting change in fear requires activation of the fear memory together with information incompatible with it; activation alone is not sufficient.
- Scope
- A theory of fear and anxiety underlying exposure-based treatments.
- Caveat
- The statement describes the theory accurately; later research has revised parts of it, and treatment efficacy rests on trials not cited here.
Last reviewed · Review due · emotional-processing-theory
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