Risk for alcoholism and classical conditioning to signals for punishment: evidence for a weak behavioral inhibition system?
Nonalcoholic men with high-density family histories of alcohol dependence (high risk) were compared with men with negative family histories (low risk) on a differential classical conditioning protocol that examined the acquisition of conditioned skin conductance responses (SCRs) to a tone (CS+) signaling the occurrence of an electric shock. High-risk Ss had significantly smaller SCRs to the CS+ tone probes during the acquisition phase and poor response discrimination between CS+ probes and CS- tones that were not paired with shock. The low-risk Ss showed a consistent pattern of discrimination between the CS+ and CS- tones. Unresponsivity to the CS+ probes was significantly related to more alcohol-related problems. The results suggest a relationship between risk for alcohol abuse and poor conditioning to signals for punishment, possibly reflecting weak behavioral inhibition system processes (D. C. Fowles, 1987).
Finn
P R
PR
Department of Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405-1301.
Kessler
D N
DN
Hussong
A M
AM
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal / Q000235:genetics*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D003214:Conditioning, Classical; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011678:Punishment; D012307:Risk Factors