title: Emotional modulation of the post-auricular reflex.
abstract: A large literature now exists on emotional modulation of the startle blink reflex. The current study examined affective modulation of the post-auricular reflex, which can be measured in relation to the same noise probe used to evoke the startle reflex. We recorded the post-auricular reflex during viewing of pictures that varied systematically in emotional valence, content, and intensity. A significant linear valence modulation effect was found, with pleasant pictures potentiating and aversive pictures inhibiting the post-auricular reflex in comparison with neutral pictures. This modulatory effect did not vary as a function of picture content, but it was most robust for highly intense emotional pictures. Implications for the assessment of basic emotional action tendencies are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Benning
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Patrick
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004431:Ear, External / Q000502:physiology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000502:physiology*