The desensitization derby: In vivo down the backstretch, imaginal at the wire?

Recontacted 17 Ss who had undergone successful imaginal or in vivo desensitization for snake phobia and had been evaluated pre‐ and posttreatment for a 9‐month follow‐up. Main findings were that: (a) overall treatment gains were maintained through the follow‐up period; (b) differential gains in favor of the in vivo technique on one behavioral and two self‐report snake‐specific criteria were dissipated; and (c) imaginal Ss registered a reduction in self‐rated fear during an approach task from posttesting to follow‐up. Results are discussed in relation to the notion of cognitive rehearsal as a means of self‐reinforcing treatment gains.