ICPS
2023 International Convention of Psychological Science · 2023
The Ability to Inhibit a Species-Specific Defense Reaction in Order to Learn an Avoidance Task Is Inversely Related to Perceived Threat Imminence
- Nancy Smith
University of California, Los Angeles - Daniel Weatherill
University of California, Los Angeles - Jeremy Trott
University of California, Los Angeles - Michael Fanselow
UCLA Integrative Center for Learning & Memory (ICLM) - Michael Fanselow
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences - Michael Fanselow
University of California, Los Angeles - Michael Fanselow
Staglin Music Festival Center for Brain & Behavioral Health
Abstract
A rodent model of avoidance was used to test whether reduced levels of fear allow the behavioral flexibility needed for instrumental conditioning to occur and override innate responses. At lower threat levels, male (not female) rats punished for freezing reduced their natural defensive freezing response during a warning signal.
Animal Behavior
