Expectancy bias in a selective conditioning procedure: Trait anxiety increases the threat value of a blocked stimulus
Expectancy bias in a selective conditioning procedure: Trait anxiety increases the threat value of a blocked stimulus
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DOI：
10.1016/j.jbtep.2011.11.005
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发表时间：
2012-06-01
影响因子：
1.8
通讯作者：
Beckers, Tom
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Boddez, Yannick;Veryliet, Bram;Beckers, Tom
背景和目标：在阻断过程中，在第一阶段，单个条件刺激（CS）与非条件刺激（US）配对，例如电击。在后续阶段，CS 与第二个 CS 一起呈现，并且该化合物后面是相同的 US。对非人类动物的恐惧调节研究表明，尽管与美国配对，但对添加的第二个 CS 的恐惧反应通常仍然较低。因此，阻止程序非常适合作为研究选择性威胁评估（缺陷）的实验室模型。本研究测试了特质焦虑与人类厌恶性条件反射中的阻断之间的关系。方法：健康参与者填写了特质焦虑问卷，并在人类厌恶性条件反射范式中接受阻断治疗。通过电击预期评级和皮肤电导来衡量威胁评估。结果：正如假设的那样，特质焦虑与对被阻止刺激的电击预期评级呈正相关。局限性：在皮肤电导反应中，在阻止训练或测试期间无法检测到刺激类型的显着影响。目前的研究不允许对我们观察到的预期偏差背后的理论过程做出强有力的主张。结论：观察到的冲击预期偏差可能是导致有患焦虑症风险的个体产生非特异性恐惧的机制之一。封锁方面的缺陷，或者更一般层面上选择性威胁评估的缺陷，确实会导致恐惧变得不具体，并且与最可能的危险原因或预测因素脱节。 (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. 保留所有权利。
Background and Objectives: In a blocking procedure, a single conditioned stimulus (CS) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US), such as electric shock, in the first stage. During the subsequent stage, the CS is presented together with a second CS and this compound is followed by the same US. Fear conditioning studies in non-human animals have demonstrated that fear responding to the added second CS typically remains low, despite its being paired with the US. Accordingly, the blocking procedure is well suited as a laboratory model for studying (deficits in) selective threat appraisal. The present study tested the relation between trait anxiety and blocking in human aversive conditioning.Methods: Healthy participants filled in a trait anxiety questionnaire and underwent blocking treatment in the human aversive conditioning paradigm. Threat appraisal was measured through shock expectancy ratings and skin conductance.Results: As hypothesized, trait anxiety was positively associated with shock expectancy ratings to the blocked stimulus.Limitations: In skin conductance responding, no significant effects of stimulus type could be detected during blocking training or testing. The current study does not allow strong claims to be made regarding the theoretical process underlying the expectancy bias we observed.Conclusions: The observed shock expectancy bias might be one of the mechanisms leading to nonspecific fear in individuals at risk for developing anxiety disorders. A deficit in blocking, or a deficit in selective threat appraisal at the more general level, indeed results in fear becoming non-specific and disconnected from the most likely causes or predictors of danger. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.