Cognitive Restructuring Before Versus After Exposure: Effect on Expectancy and Outcome in Individuals With Claustrophobia

Maximizing the discrepancy between expected and actual outcomes during exposure (i.e., expectancy violation) is thought to optimize inhibitory learning. The current study examined Craske et al.'s suggestion that engaging in cognitive restructuring (CR) before exposure prematurely reduces expectancy and mitigates outcomes. Participants (N = 93) with claustrophobia were randomly assigned to either 15 minutes of CR before exposure (CR Before) or …