A three-systems analysis of fear of flying: A comparison of a consonant vs a non-consonant treatment method

Ten patients with a fear of flying were treated either with Stress-inoculation training (SIT) or with Applied relaxation (AR). In accordance with a Three-Systems model of phobic fear, five subjects were classified as physiological responders and five subjects were classified as cognitive responders. It was assumed that SIT would be a consonant treatment method for the cognitive responders and a non-consonant method for the physiological responders. AR was assumed to be consonant for the physiological responders but non-consonant for the cognitive responders. The aims of the study were: (1) to investigate the efficacy of behavioral treatment methods for fear of flying with adequate pre- and post-treatment behavioral measures (2) to assess the relative efficacy of a consonant vs a non-consonant treatment. The results showed improvement on all dependent measures (physiological, subjective, behavioral) from pre- to post-treatment and follow-up. Furthermore, the consonant treatment method was superior to the non-consonant method on subjective experience of physiological arousal and the ratings of fear of flying, but not for changes in heart-rate, and self-rating of anxiety.