Associative learning shapes visual discrimination in a web-based classical conditioning task

Stegmann, Yannik; Andreatta, Marta; Pauli, Paul; Wieser, Matthias J.

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-95200-6

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 53 publications

(79 reference statements)

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“…In line with recent work of Stegmann et al [23] and Bjo ¨rkstrand et al [22], our findings support the ability to induce associative fear learning as well as extinction in a web-based fear conditioning paradigm. We further have to acknowledge that we used a complex generalization protocol.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Effects of phase synchronization and frequency specificity in the encoding of conditioned fear–a web-based fear conditioning study

Plog

Antov²,

Bierwirth³

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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Oscillatory synchronization in the theta-frequency band was found to play a causal role in binding information of different modalities in declarative memory. Moreover, there is first evidence from a laboratory study that theta-synchronized (vs. asynchronized) multimodal input in a classical fear conditioning paradigm resulted in better discrimination of a threat-associated stimulus when compared to perceptually similar stimuli never associated with the aversive unconditioned stimulus (US). Effects manifested in affective ratings and ratings of contingency knowledge. However, theta-specificity was not addressed so far. Thus, in the present pre-registered web-based fear conditioning study, we compared synchronized (vs. asynchronized) input in a theta-frequency band vs. the same synchronization manipulation in a delta frequency. Based on our previous laboratory design, five visual gratings of different orientations (25°, 35°, 45°, 55°, 65°) served as conditioned stimuli (CS) with only one (CS+) paired with the auditory aversive US. Both CS and US were luminance or amplitude modulated, respectively, in a theta (4 Hz) or delta (1.7 Hz) frequency. In both frequencies, CS-US pairings were presented either in-phase (0° phase lag) or out-of-phase (90°, 180°, 270°), resulting in four independent groups (each group N = 40). Phase synchronization augmented the discrimination of CSs in CS-US contingency knowledge but did not affect valence and arousal ratings. Interestingly, this effect occurred independent of frequency. In sum, the current study proves the ability to successfully conduct complex generalization fear conditioning in an online setting. Based on this prerequisite, our data supports a causal role of phase synchronization in the declarative CS-US associations for low frequencies rather than in the specific theta-frequency band.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Effects of phase synchronization and frequency specificity in the encoding of conditioned fear–a web-based fear conditioning study

Plog

Antov²,

Bierwirth³

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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“…Additionally, other non-verbal measures of fear and extinction related processes can be explored. Recent studies have shown the feasibility of such an approach measuring avoidance learning in a game-based environment 37 as well as using measures of perceptual discrimination following pavlovian condtioning 38 . Ultimately, this line of research could provide valuable tools for non-verbal assessment of fear and extinction learning outside a lab environment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating an internet-delivered fear conditioning and extinction protocol using response times and affective ratings

Björkstrand

Pine

Frick

2022

Sci Rep

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Pavlovian fear conditioning is widely used to study mechanisms of fear learning, but high-throughput studies are hampered by the labor-intensive nature of examining participants in the lab. To circumvent this bottle-neck, fear conditioning tasks have been developed for remote delivery. Previous studies have examined remotely delivered fear conditioning protocols using expectancy and affective ratings. Here we replicate and extend these findings using an internet-delivered version of the Screaming Lady paradigm, evaluating the effects on negative affective ratings and response time to an auditory probe during stimulus presentation. In a sample of 80 adults, we observed clear evidence of both fear acquisition and extinction using affective ratings. Response times were faster when probed early, but not later, during presentation of stimuli paired with an aversive scream. The response time findings are at odds with previous lab-based studies showing slower as opposed to faster responses to threat-predicting cues. The findings underscore the feasibility of employing remotely delivered fear conditioning paradigms with affective ratings as outcome. Findings further highlight the need for research examining optimal parameters for concurrent response time measures or alternate non-verbal indicators of conditioned responses in Pavlovian conditioning protocols.

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“…Conditioned stimuli (CS) consisted of circular black-and-white sinusoidal grating stimuli (10 Hz spatial frequency) filtered with a Gaussian-envelope (i.e., Gabor-patch) with maximum contrast of 100% at center (Stegmann, Andreatta, Pauli, & Wieser, 2021). Orientations of 30° and -30° relative to the vertical axis were selected as threat (CS+) and safety (CS-) cues for each participant.…”

Section: Stimuli and Apparatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of inherently threatening contexts on visuocortical engagement to conditioned threat

2022

Self Cite

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Fear and anxiety are crucial for adaptive responding in life-threatening situations. Whereas fear is a phasic response to an acute threat accompanied by selective attention, anxiety is characterized by a sustained feeling of apprehension and hypervigilance during situations of potential threat. In the current literature, fear and anxiety are usually considered mutually exclusive, with distinct neural underpinnings. However, there is accumulating evidence that challenges this distinction between fear and anxiety, and simultaneous activation of fear-and anxiety networks has been reported.Therefore, the current study experimentally tested potential interactions between fear and anxiety.Fifty-two healthy participants completed a differential fear conditioning paradigm followed by a test phase in which the conditioned stimuli were presented in front of threatening or neutral contextual images. To capture defense system activation, we recorded subjective (threat, USexpectancy), physiological (skin conductance, heart rate), and visuocortical (steady-state visual evoked potentials) responses to the conditioned stimuli as a function of contextual threat. Results demonstrated successful fear conditioning in all measures. In addition, threat and US-expectancy ratings, cardiac deceleration, and visuocortical activity were enhanced for fear cues presented in threatening compared to neutral contexts. These results are in line with an additive or interactive rather than an exclusive model of fear and anxiety, indicating facilitated defensive behavior to imminent danger in situations of potential threat.

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Associative learning shapes visual discrimination in a web-based classical conditioning task

Cited by 8 publications

References 53 publications

Effects of phase synchronization and frequency specificity in the encoding of conditioned fear–a web-based fear conditioning study

Effects of phase synchronization and frequency specificity in the encoding of conditioned fear–a web-based fear conditioning study

Evaluating an internet-delivered fear conditioning and extinction protocol using response times and affective ratings

The effect of inherently threatening contexts on visuocortical engagement to conditioned threat

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