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Aversive Imagery Causes De Novo Fear Conditioning.


ABSTRACT: In classical fear conditioning, neutral conditioned stimuli that have been paired with aversive physical unconditioned stimuli eventually trigger fear responses. Here, we tested whether aversive mental images systematically paired with a conditioned stimulus also cause de novo fear learning in the absence of any external aversive stimulation. In two experiments (N = 45 and N = 41), participants were first trained to produce aversive, neutral, or no imagery in response to three different visual-imagery cues. In a subsequent imagery-based differential-conditioning paradigm, each of the three cues systematically coterminated with one of three different neutral faces. Although the face that was paired with the aversive-imagery cue was never paired with aversive external stimuli or threat-related instructions, participants rated it as more arousing, unpleasant, and threatening and displayed relative fear bradycardia and fear-potentiated startle. These results could be relevant for the development of fear and related disorders without trauma.

SUBMITTER: Mueller EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6651612 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Aversive Imagery Causes De Novo Fear Conditioning.

Mueller Erik M EM   Sperl Matthias F J MFJ   Panitz Christian C  

Psychological science 20190531 7


In classical fear conditioning, neutral conditioned stimuli that have been paired with aversive physical unconditioned stimuli eventually trigger fear responses. Here, we tested whether aversive mental images systematically paired with a conditioned stimulus also cause de novo fear learning in the absence of any external aversive stimulation. In two experiments (<i>N</i> = 45 and <i>N</i> = 41), participants were first trained to produce aversive, neutral, or no imagery in response to three diff  ...[more]

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