Conceptual similarity promotes generalization of higher order fear learning.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
We tested the hypothesis that conceptual similarity promotes generalization of conditioned fear. Using a sensory preconditioning procedure, three groups of subjects learned an association between two cues that were conceptually similar, unrelated, or mismatched. Next, one of the cues was paired with a shock. The other cue was then reintroduced to test for fear generalization, as measured by the skin conductance response. Results showed enhanced fear generalization that correlated with trait anxiety levels in the group that learned an association between conceptually similar stimuli. These findings suggest that conceptual representations of conditional stimuli influence human fear learning processes.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Dunsmoor, JE; White, AJ; LaBar, KS
Published Date
- January 2011
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 18 / 3
Start / End Page
- 156 - 160
PubMed ID
- 21330378
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC3056515
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1549-5485
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 1072-0502
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1101/lm.2016411
Language
- eng