Work

Do laboratory fear extinction, avoidance and generalization predict exposure outcomes for fear of spiders?

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study assessed the predictive potential of laboratory conditioning processes (extinction, avoidance, and generalization) for exposure therapy outcomes in 112 spider-fearful women. Three aversive conditioning tasks were followed by a baseline assessment of spider fear, virtual reality exposure training, a post assessment after one week and a three-month follow-up assessment. Initial analyses indicated significant positive correlations between reduced extinction, increased avoidance of a conditioned threat stimulus, and overgeneralization, particularly evident in verbal measures. In subsequent analyses, neither individual extinction and generalization indices reliably predicted exposure outcomes, contrasting prior research. Notably, excessive avoidance of the conditioned stimulus did emerge as a potential predictor of less favorable exposure outcomes, aligning with previous research on fear avoidance. Overall, our findings underscore the complexity of predicting exposure therapy outcomes. Moreover, they call for further investigation into the impact of methodological decisions on determining the relationship between basic learning processes and treatment efficacy.

Source: Journal of Anxiety Disorders

DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2026.103135

Authors: Naomi Carpentier, Dirk Hermans, Lu Leng, Laura Luyten, Sara Scheveneels

Institution: KU Leuven

Language: English

Topic: Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,650