Tonic Immobility as a Model of Extreme States of Behavioral Inhibition

Human tonic immobility: measurement and correlates

“…[42] Predatory encounters typically involve violent physical contact and high levels of fear. We believe that interpersonal trauma, such as sexual or physical assault, is analogous to such situations.…”

Factor structure of the Tonic Immobility Scale in female sexual assault survivors: An exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis

“…TI is also associated with analgesia, or decreased responsiveness to painful stimuli (Rodgers & Randall, 1987; see Gallup & Rager, 1996, for a comprehensive review of findings from the basic animal literature regarding TI). Collectively, this work suggests that TI is an innate and evolutionarily adaptive component of an organism's defensive reaction, or ''fight or flight'' response (Gallup & Rager, 1996).…”

“…Findings suggest that TI is a temporary catatonic-like state, marked by the presence of profound and reversible motor inhibition, suppressed vocal behavior, Parkinsonian-like tremors in the extremities, attenuated responsiveness to stimulation, periods of eye closure, changes in respiration, heart rate and body temperature, muscle hypertonicity (muscle spasms), mydriasis (pupil dilation) and waxy flexibility (Gallup & Rager, 1996;Nash, Gallup, & Czech, 1976). TI is also associated with analgesia, or decreased responsiveness to painful stimuli (Rodgers & Randall, 1987; see Gallup & Rager, 1996, for a comprehensive review of findings from the basic animal literature regarding TI). Collectively, this work suggests that TI is an innate and evolutionarily adaptive component of an organism's defensive reaction, or ''fight or flight'' response (Gallup & Rager, 1996).…”

Tonic immobility mediates the influence of peritraumatic fear and perceived inescapability on posttraumatic stress symptom severity among sexual assault survivors

“…Freezing is associated with increased responsivity to stimuli, alert posture, and volitional action tendencies (Marks, 1987), whereas tonic immobility involves motionless posture and unresponsiveness to painful stimulation (Gallup & Rager, 1996;Marx et al, 2008).…”