An investigation of the self-statement systems of phobic and nonphobic individuals

Abstract

George Kelly's Personal Construct Theory was used to conceptualize an investigation into the nature of self-statements of phobic and nonphobic individuals. Subjects, 124 college students, classified as phobic or nonphobic by their performance on a behavioral avoidance test, were asked to generate self-statements relevant to the avoidance task, which were rated on degree and salience of threat and on time orientation. The results indicated that the self-statements of phobics and nonphobics did not differ on the presence of threat in the self-statement dimensions, but rather on the average salience of threat, suggesting that the organization of the self-statement system is the most important aspect of avoidance behavior. Additionally, the constructs of phobics were more likely to reflect a negative past time orientation. Results are discussed in the context of facilitating cognitive restructuring on the part of fearful individuals.