The development of cued versus contextual conditioning in a predictable and an unpredictable human fear conditioning preparation.
In this human fear conditioning study, the online development of conditioned US-expectancy to discrete cues and background contexts was measured in two groups. In the paired group (n=30), the CS was systematically followed by an aversive shock (US). In the unpaired group (n=30), CS and US were presented explicitly unpaired. Using US-expectancy ratings, we replicated the basic finding already illustrated in humans with startle modulation. In the paired group, the CS elicited more US-expectancy than the context, whereas in the unpaired group, the context elicited more US-expectancy than the CS. Interestingly, we also observed a trial-by-trial development of conditioning to the context in the unpaired group as indicated by a significant linear trend. This gradual development and the evidence for the role of US-expectancy in contextual fear add to the idea that cued and contextual fear rely on the same basic associative processes.
Iberico
Carlos
C
Department of Psychology, University of Leuven, Belgium.
Vansteenwegen
Debora
D
Vervliet
Bram
B
Dirikx
Trinette
T
Marescau
Valerie
V
Hermans
Dirk
D
D000328:Adult; D001244:Association; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D004576:Electromyography; D004597:Electroshock / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000502:physiology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology