ABSTRACT
Attentional manipulations used in the exploration and modification of the cognitive and affective components of emotional reactions have been based on distraction techniques. Such techniques appear effective in assisting patients in coping with the distress accompanying certain medical and dental interventions (e.g. Allen, Danforth, & Drabman, 1989). Distraction procedures such as playing video games also appear effective in the control of conditioned nausea in pediatric cancer patients (Redd, Jacobsen, & Die-Trill, 1987). Distraction also appears to have an impact on problematic behavioural responses. For example, the introduction of a distraction procedure involving the viewing of a poster about which a story was told during treatment reduced the anxious and disruptive behaviour of four children undergoing dental treatment (Stark et al., 1989).
