Fear in the brain and theories

Question 1

LeDoux

Answer 1

Found out the importance of the amygdala. The CS is not able to fire the neurons in the Lateral Nucleus of the Amygdala. The US (shock) is. After a fear is learned, also the CS can fire neurons in the LA (creating startle response)

Question 2

Generalization (Lissek)

Answer 2

Conditioned w CS+ and CS-

Followed with generalization test; Presented CS+ with little smaller circles. See a diagonal line, startle response gradually declines as it starts to look more like the CS-

Question 3

Traditional learning theory + 4 criticism

Answer 3

Fear is learned by experience (Pavlov Watson etc).

Criticism:
Direct experience is not necessary, people fear things that’ve never happened, or don’t remember a the traumatic event.

Not all people develop disorder after trauma

Selectivity of phobia (more people fear spiders than cars)

What is learned: not association between CS and CR, but CS predicts the CR Meaning you learn the connection betw. CS-US

Question 4

Contemporary learning theory (Rachman)

Answer 4

Different (Three) pathways for fear learning;

Direct learning; trauma
Modelling: Seeing others reacting
Information transfer: Learning by hearing about it

Also here, greater fear for CS+, even in two scnd groups.

Question 5

individual differences

Answer 5

Degree of fear learning is influenced by genetic predisposition, traits and different learning history

Question 6

Latent inhibition

Answer 6

Prior experiences with a stimulus (CS) reduces the amount of fear conditioning when its paired w aversive event. It forms a protective factor

Like dental practice, first time: don’t do anything. Causes reduced fear development later

Question 7

Prepared stimuli (Seligman)

Answer 7

Fear of stimuli that were important for evolution are easier to learn and more difficult to extinguish.