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Abstract

The present study examined Davidson and Schwartz's
(1976) model of multi modal anxiety and treatment.
Initially various theoretical conceptions of anxiety,
were reviewed. This was followed by an outline of
multi modal conceptions of anxiety and relaxation.
Davidson and Schwartz's model was presented in some
detail. The thesis of these authors derives from the
assumption that anxiety can be divided into two
relatively independent modes: cognitive and somatic.
The therapeutic corollary of this conception of anxiety
is that persons manifesting the phenomenon in a
particular mode would gain maximum relief if they
received treatment which induced further activation of
a neutral nature in that mode. Additionally the model
holds that mode specific activation also reduces
unwanted activity in other modes, albeit to a lesser
extent.
These propositions were tested using the following
experimental design. Two groups of female subjects
were selected on the basis of the predominant mode in
which they manifested their anxiety: cognitive or
somatic. Each group was then further partitioned on
the basis of the treatment applied. Equal numbers of
cognitive and somatic subjects were allocated to cognitive treatment, somatic treatment, and no
treatment (control) conditions. Data from the Taylor
Manifest Anxiety Scale, and three physiological
response measures: skin conductance; finger blood
volume; and finger pulse amplitude were interpreted
as providing support for Davidson and Schwartz's (1976)
treatment specificity thesis. The somatic technique
used in this study was found to be particularly effective
in reducing somatic anxiety. In conclusion, possible
directions of future research and the implications of
this study's findings for clinical treatment of anxiety
were discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis - Unspecified
Authors/Creators:	Midford, Richard G
Keywords:	Anxiety
Copyright Holders:	The Author
Copyright Information:	Copyright 1981 the Author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s).
Additional Information:	Thesis (M. Psych.) - University of Tasmania, 1982. Bibliography: l. 94-106
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