Abstract
This paper reports on two studies that examined predictions derived from Reiss and McNally's (1985) expectancy model of fear behavior and Bandura's (1988) self-efficacy theory. In Study 1 of 138 participants displaying marked claustrophobic fears, scales were developed to measure Suffocation Concerns, Entrapment Concerns, and Coping Self-Efficacy. In Study 2 of 202 participants displaying marked claustrophobic fears, confirmatory factor and reliability analyses showed that these scales reliably tapped relatively discrete constructs. Predictions derived from the Reiss and McNally expectancy model and Bandura's self-efficacy theory were examined using behavioral, subjective, and physiological measures taken during a claustrophobic Behavioral Approach Test (BAT). Coping Self-Efficacy accounted for unique variance in subjective fear and heart-rate reactivity, but did not produce significantly better classification of participants' behavior beyond the expectancy model variable set. The expectancy model variable set meaningfully predicted behavioral approach, with the interaction between Expected Anxiety and Anxiety Sensitivity adding significantly to the classification beyond all other variables. These findings suggest that the expectancy model and self-efficacy theory provide meaningful and nonredundant accounts of phobic reactions.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aiken, L. S. & West, S. G. (1991).Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Bandura, A. (1986). The explanatory and predictive scope of self-efficacy theory.Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 4, 359–373.
Bandura, A. (1988). Self-efficacy conceptions of anxiety.Anxiety Research, 1, 77–98.
Bandura. A., Reese, L., & Adams, N. E. (1982). Microanalysis of action and fear arousal as a function of different levels of perceived self-efficacy.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 43, 5–21.
Bentler, P. M. & Bonett, D. G. (1980). Significance tests and goodness-of-fit in the analysis of covariance structures.Psychological Bulletin, 88, 588–606.
Busemeyer, J. R., & Jones, L. E. (1983). Analysis of multiplicative combination rules when the causal variables are measured with error.Psychological Bulletin, 56, 81–105.
Gursky, D. M., & Reiss, S. (1987). Identifying danger and anxiety expectancies as components of common fears.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 18, 317–324.
Jöreskog, K. G., & Sörbom, D. (1989).LISREL VII: A guide to the program and applications (2nd ed.). Chicago: SPSS.
Kirsch, I. (1982). Efficacy expectations or response predictions: The meaning of efficacy ratings as a function of task characteristics.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42, 132–136.
Kirsch, I., Tennen, H., Wickless, C., Saccone, A. J., & Cody, S. (1983). The role of expectancy in fear reduction.Behavior Therapy, 14, 520–533.
Ozer, E. M., & Bandura, A. (1990). Mechanisms governing empowerment effects: A self-efficacy analysis.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58, 472–486.
Rachman, S. J. (1990). Claustrophobia and the fear of suffocation. In S. J. Rachman (Ed.),Fear and courage (2nd ed.). New York: Freeman & Co.
Rachman, S. J., & Bichard, S. (1988). The overprediction of fear.Clinical Psychology Review, 8, 303–312.
Rachman, S. J., & Taylor, S. (1993). Analyses of claustrophobia.Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 7, 281–291.
Reiss, S. (1980). Pavlovian conditioning and human fear: An expectancy model.Behavior Therapy, 11, 380–396.
Reiss, S. (1991). Expectancy theory of fear, anxiety, and panic.Clinical Psychology Review, 11, 141–153.
Reiss, S., & McNally, R. (1985). Expectancy model of fear. In S. Reiss & R. R. Bootzin (eds.),Theoretical issues in behavior therapy. New York: Academic Press.
Reiss, S., Peterson, R. A., Gursky, D. M., & McNally, R. J. (1986). Anxiety sensitivity, anxiety frequency, and the prediction of fearfulness.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 24, 1–8.
Rescorla, R. A., & Wagner, A. R. (1972). A theory of Pavlovian conditioning: Variations in the effectiveness of reinforcement and nonreinforcement. In A. Black & W. F. Prokasy (Eds.),Classical conditioning II. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Tabachnick B. G., & Fiedll. L. S. (1989).Understanding multivariate statistics (2nd ed.). New York: Harper Collins.
Telch, M. J., Brouilard, M., Telch, C. F., & Agras, W. S. (1989). Role of cognitive appraisals in panic-related avoidance.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 27, 373–383.
Telch, M. J., Shermis, M. D., & Lucas, J. A. (1989). Anxiety sensitivity: Unitary personality trait or domain specific appraisals? Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 3, 25–32.
Valentiner, D. P., Telch, M. J., Ilai, D., & Hehmsoth, M. (1993). Claustrophobic fear behavior: An empirical test of the expectancy model of fear.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 31, 395–402.
Williams, S. L., Kinney, P. J., & Falbo, J. (1989). Generalization of therapeutic changes in agoraphobia: The role of perceived self-efficacy.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 436–442.
Williams, S. L., & Watson, N. (1985). Perceived danger and perceived self-efficacy as cognitive mediators of acrophobic behavior.Behavior Therapy, 16, 136–146.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Valentiner, D.P., Telch, M.J., Petruzzi, D.C. et al. Cognitive mechanisms in claustrophobia: An examination of reiss and McNally's expectancy model and Bandura's self-efficacy theory. Cogn Ther Res 20, 593–612 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02227963
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02227963