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Contextual fear-potentiated startle conditioning in humans: Replication and extension

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 April 2001

REZVAN AMELI
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
CHRIS IP
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
CHRISTIAN GRILLON
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
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Abstract

Contextual fear conditioning was examined using the startle reflex in two groups of participants over two sessions separated by 1/2 h. The conditioned stimulus (CS) was paired (paired group) or not (unpaired group) with an unpleasant shock during conditioning. The paired group showed conditioning to the CS that was well retained over the retention interval. Session 1 intertrial interval startles—a measure of contextual conditioning—were greater in the unpaired compared to the paired group. Context conditioning was retained in Session 2 and was present before the shock electrodes were attached. Self-rating of state anxiety, arousal, and pleasure indicated differential changes in mood from Session 1 to Session 2 in the two groups, with the unpaired group showing relatively greater negative affects compared to the paired group. These results indicate that unpredictable shocks lead to greater context conditioning as measured by startle and self-reports.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2001 Society for Psychophysiological Research

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