Work

From bad to worse: Symbolic equivalence and opposition in fear generalisation

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: The present study compared the impact of symbolic equivalence and opposition relations on fear generalisation. In a procedure using nonsense words, some stimuli became symbolically equivalent to an aversively conditioned stimulus while others were symbolically opposite. The generalisation of fear to symbolically related stimuli was then measured using behavioural avoidance, retrospective unconditioned stimulus expectancy and stimulus valence ratings. Equivalence relations facilitated fear generalisation while opposition relations constrained generalisation. The potential clinical implications of symbolic generalisation are discussed.

Source: Cognition & Emotion

DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2014.973833

Authors: Marc Bennett, Dirk Hermans, Simon Dymond, Ellen Vervoort, Frank Baeyens

Institutions: KU Leuven, Swansea University

Language: English

Topic: Memory and Neural Mechanisms

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation, FP7 Ideas: European Research Council