Individual differences in learning predict the return of fear
Using a laboratory analogue of learned fear (Pavlovian fear conditioning), we show that there is substantial heterogeneity across individuals in spontaneous recovery of fear following extinction training. We propose that this heterogeneity might stem from qualitative individual differences in the na...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer US
2017
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/107174 |
| _version_ | 1811087000875302912 |
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| author | Hartley, Catherine A. Gershman, Samuel J |
| author2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences |
| author_facet | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Hartley, Catherine A. Gershman, Samuel J |
| author_sort | Hartley, Catherine A. |
| collection | MIT |
| description | Using a laboratory analogue of learned fear (Pavlovian fear conditioning), we show that there is substantial heterogeneity across individuals in spontaneous recovery of fear following extinction training. We propose that this heterogeneity might stem from qualitative individual differences in the nature of extinction learning. Whereas some individuals tend to form a new memory during extinction, leaving their fear memory intact, others update the original threat association with new safety information, effectively unlearning the fear memory. We formalize this account in a computational model of fear learning and show that individuals who, according to the model, are more likely to form new extinction memories tend to show greater spontaneous recovery compared to individuals who appear to only update a single memory. This qualitative variation in fear and extinction learning may have important implications for understanding vulnerability and resilience to fear-related psychiatric disorders. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T13:38:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | mit-1721.1/107174 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-09-23T13:38:18Z |
| publishDate | 2017 |
| publisher | Springer US |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/1071742022-09-28T15:13:27Z Individual differences in learning predict the return of fear Hartley, Catherine A. Gershman, Samuel J Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Gershman, Samuel J Using a laboratory analogue of learned fear (Pavlovian fear conditioning), we show that there is substantial heterogeneity across individuals in spontaneous recovery of fear following extinction training. We propose that this heterogeneity might stem from qualitative individual differences in the nature of extinction learning. Whereas some individuals tend to form a new memory during extinction, leaving their fear memory intact, others update the original threat association with new safety information, effectively unlearning the fear memory. We formalize this account in a computational model of fear learning and show that individuals who, according to the model, are more likely to form new extinction memories tend to show greater spontaneous recovery compared to individuals who appear to only update a single memory. This qualitative variation in fear and extinction learning may have important implications for understanding vulnerability and resilience to fear-related psychiatric disorders. Dr. Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund 2017-03-03T20:28:42Z 2017-03-03T20:28:42Z 2015-06 2016-05-23T12:18:02Z Article http://purl.org/eprint/type/JournalArticle 1543-4494 1543-4508 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/107174 Gershman, Samuel J., and Catherine A. Hartley. “Individual Differences in Learning Predict the Return of Fear.” Learning & Behavior 43, no. 3 (June 23, 2015): 243–250. en http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/s13420-015-0176-z Learning & Behavior Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use. Psychonomic Society, Inc. application/pdf Springer US Springer US |
| spellingShingle | Hartley, Catherine A. Gershman, Samuel J Individual differences in learning predict the return of fear |
| title | Individual differences in learning predict the return of fear |
| title_full | Individual differences in learning predict the return of fear |
| title_fullStr | Individual differences in learning predict the return of fear |
| title_full_unstemmed | Individual differences in learning predict the return of fear |
| title_short | Individual differences in learning predict the return of fear |
| title_sort | individual differences in learning predict the return of fear |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/107174 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hartleycatherinea individualdifferencesinlearningpredictthereturnoffear AT gershmansamuelj individualdifferencesinlearningpredictthereturnoffear |