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. 2011 Apr;20(2):224-231.
doi: 10.1007/s10826-010-9402-7. Epub 2010 Aug 1.

Approach and Avoidance Tendencies in Spider Fearful Children: The Approach-Avoidance Task

Anke M Klein  1 , Eni S Becker, Mike Rinck
Affiliations

Approach and Avoidance Tendencies in Spider Fearful Children: The Approach-Avoidance Task

Anke M Klein et al. J Child Fam Stud. 2011 Apr.

Abstract

Fear in children is associated with the tendency to avoid situations related to the fear. In this study, the Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT) was evaluated as a test of automatic behavioral avoidance tendencies in children. A sample of 195 children aged between 9 and 12 years completed an AAT, a Behavioral Assessment Task (BAT), and two spider fear questionnaires. The results indicate that all children showed an automatic avoidance tendency in response to spider pictures, but not pictures of butterflies or neutral pictures. Girls who reported more fear of spiders on the self-reports and behaved more anxiously during the BAT also showed a greater avoidance tendency in the AAT. These relationships were absent in boys.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Example of pictures used in the AAT (Spider, Butterfly, and Control)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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