Robert A. Hogan

Implosive, eclectic verbal and bibliotherapy in the treatment of fears of snakes ☆

Abstract Thirty co-eds with ascertained fears of snakes were exposed to an implosive, eclectic verbal or bibliotherapy session. Ten Ss were in each group. For a S to be judged a success at the conclusion of the session, she had to pick up a 3 1 2 ft king snake. There were significant differences (0.05 level) between Ss who had implosive therapy and those who had bibliotherapy on the post test. No significant differences were found between the implosive and eclectic verbal Ss on this post test. Subjects who failed to pick up the snake were subsequently imploded. 66.66 Per cent of them later lifted up the animal. Results of this study were compared with those of previous research on implosion.

The implosive technique.

Abstract A brief history of the implosion technique is followed by an illustrative case-history. A detailed description of the method is provided.