Abstract
An unavoidable electric shock was anticipated by 96 Ss for 6 min. Forty-eight of these were given another stressful task from Minute 4 to Minute 51/2 of anticipation. It was found that, by terminating the stressful task 30 sec before the shock was due, Ss entered a relaxation phase and their heart rates revealed less fear of shock than that of the shock-only group.
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We are greatly indebted to Dr. Pinchas Yarden for his invaluable encouragement and to S. Biederman who helped at all stages of the research.
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Hess, A., Breznitz, S. Termination of a stressful task reduces fear of an approaching shock. Psychon Sci 23, 311–312 (1971). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336126
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336126