Spatial proximity amplifies valence in emotional memory and defensive approach-avoidance.

ABSTRACT: In urban areas, people often have to stand or move in close proximity to others. The egocentric distance to stimuli is a powerful determinant of defensive behavior in animals. Yet, little is known about how spatial proximity to others alters defensive responses in humans. We hypothesized that the valence of social cues scales with egocentric distance, such that proximal social stimuli have more positive or negative valence than distal stimuli. This would predict enhanced defensive responses to proximal threat and reduced defensive responses to proximal reward. We tested this hypothesis across four experiments using 3-D virtual reality simulations. Results from Experiment 1 confirmed that proximal social stimuli facilitate defensive responses, as indexed by fear-potentiated startle, relativ

SUBMITTER: Ahs F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4402246 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature