Importance of model similarity on extinction of avoidance behavior in children

Studied the effectiveness of therapeutic modeling by using models similar or dissimilar to observers in a class of behavior being modified (fear) and a characteristic (age) seemingly irrelevant to the modeled response. Ss were 50 2nd and 3rd graders. 40 Ss who showed behavioral fear of snakes viewed models of 1 of 4 types: fearless child, fearful child, fearless adult, fearful adult. In addition, 10 Ss saw no model in a control condition. Pre- and postmeasures of fear were taken on behavioral and attitude dimensions. With repsect to overt avoidance, model similarity on the response dimension (level of fear) was an unimportant variable, but model similarity on the age dimension was important. With respect to attitudes, more similar models produced the greatest change regardless of the dimension on which similarity occurred. An integration of these findings with other research is presented. (23 ref)