The attenuation of spider avoidance action tendencies in spider-fearful individuals and its impact on behavioural and emotional responding to spiders

Studies using the Approach/Avoidance Task (AAT) paradigm have demonstrated that individuals with heightened levels of spider-fear, as compared to lower levels of spider-fear, are characterised by biased action tendencies, indicated by speeded completion of movements that increase apparent distance between spider-stimuli and themselves (push movements), compared to movements that decrease apparent distance between spider-stimuli and themselves (pull response). Research using training variants of the AAT has also demonstrated that this pattern of action tendencies can be attenuated amongst individuals with heightened spider-fear. However, the effect of this manipulation on behaviour and emotion in the presence of a spider has not been examined. Eighty-eight participants who reported relatively high levels of spider-fear completed a procedure designed to either attenuate avoidance action tendencies for spider stimuli (Approach Spider Condition) or have no impact on action tendencies for spider stimuli (Control Condition). Action tendencies were assessed before and after the manipulation. Participants then completed a Behavioural Approach Task that recorded the number of steps voluntarily taken toward a spider and level of self-reported anxiety at each step. Analyses revealed that avoidance action tendencies to spider stimuli were attenuated in the Approach Spider Condition as compared to the Control Condition following the experimental manipulation, as intended. However, participants in each condition did not differ in behavioural or emotional measures recorded during the approach task. These findings replicate research indicating avoidance action tendencies to spider stimuli can be manipulated amongst individuals with heightened spider-fear, though suggest that their manipulation may not influence 'real world' behavioural or emotional responding to spiders.