Abstract
The (un)predictability of threat influences anticipatory emotional and motivational states. However, few investigations have examined the impact of threat type on defensive motivation. Two within-subject studies (total N = 134) examined defense motivation (startle reflex) and attentional engagement (probe N100, P300) in anticipation of shock and an aversive noise (scream) during a no, predictable, and unpredictable threat (NPU-threat) task. In Study 1, startle was potentiated for unpredictable shock and scream, but potentiation was greater for shock. Startle was potentiated for predictable shock but attenuated for predictable scream. In Study 2, the scream was paired with a scared female face. Startle was potentiated for both predictable and unpredictable shock and scream. The probe N100 was enhanced during unpredictable threat and the probe P300 was suppressed during both predictable and unpredictable threat. The present study suggests that threat type impacts unpredictable (but not predictable) defensive motivation but not attentional engagement. Moreover, predictable auditory aversive stimuli need a paired visual stimulus to enhance defensive motivation.
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Notes
Startle potentiation for the unpredictable threat condition was averaged across the countdown and interstimulus interval since the participant was in danger during both phases.
As part of the broader experimental session, participants also completed the following self-report measures: Big Five Inventory, Inventory for Depression and Anxiety Symptoms—Expanded Version, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index—3, Intolerance of Uncertainty Index, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, and Disorder Specific Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale.
Participants also completed retrospective anxiety ratings for each condition; these data were not included in the present study.
Split-half reliability for the startle reflex was determined by calculating the correlation between averages of odd- and even-numbered trials, corrected using the Spearman-Brown prophecy formula (Nunnally et al. 1967). Split-half reliability of startle potentiation (i.e., threat minus no threat) was calculated for each condition using an adjusted formula (Furr and Bacharach 2013). Consistent with previous investigations (Kaye et al. 2016; Nelson and Hajcak 2017b), reliability of the startle reflex was better for the raw score compared to the difference score.
Supplementary analyses indicated no differences between male and female participants on their startle reflex during any condition across Studies 1 and 2.
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Funding was provided by National Institute of Mental Health (Grant No. K01MH107808).
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Ferry, R.A., Nelson, B.D. Differential impact of threat type on defensive motivation and attention during the NPU-threat task. Motiv Emot 44, 670–685 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-020-09835-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-020-09835-5