Extinction and renewal of avoidance tendencies towards conditioned cues

A.M. Krypotos, Marieke Effting, Inna Arnaudova, Merel Kindt, Tom Beckers

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperOther research output

Abstract

Pavlovian fear conditioning constitutes one of the principal
experimental paradigms for the investigation of fear and a
model for the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders. Through
this paradigm, more light has been shed on how fear is
learned, extinguished as well as the corresponding neural
underpinnings. However, Pavlovian fear conditioning
research has largely neglected behavioral avoidance
tendencies, a core characteristic of all anxiety disorders.
We have recently demonstrated that Pavlovian fear
conditioning results in the acquisition of avoidance
tendencies towards fearful cues. In the present experiment,
we evaluated whether those avoidance tendencies can be
extinguished and subsequently renewed. Specifically, two
groups underwent a fear acquisition procedure in which
2D projections of one neutral geometrical object were
paired with shock (CS+), whereas projections of another
object were never paired with shock (CS-). Subsequently,
both groups underwent a fear extinction procedure during
which the same objects were presented without shock. In
order to test avoidance tendencies, participants performed
a Stimulus-Response Compatibility Task (SCRT) in which
they had to move a manikin towards and away from the
CS projections. Groups differed in the context they
performed the SRCT. Group ABB performed the SRCT in
the same context as fear extinction but different from fear acquisition, whereas Group ABA performed the SRCT in the same context as fear acquisition but different from fear extinction. In line with our predictions, outcomes indicated
renewal of avoidance tendencies in the ABA group compared to the ABB group. The present study provides evidence that extinguished avoidance tendencies can be renewed by a return to the initial fear acquisition context. Implications of this research for the study of fear learning, anxiety disorders, neurosciences and its clinical relevance will be discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages188
Publication statusUnpublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes
Event42nd Annual Congress EABCT - Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: 29 Aug 20121 Sept 2012

Conference

Conference42nd Annual Congress EABCT
Country/TerritorySwitzerland
CityGeneva
Period29/08/121/09/12

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