Using a novel paradigm to examine observational fear-learning across development.
developmental differences
fear-learning
observational learning
physiological indices
self-reported fear
Journal
Depression and anxiety
ISSN: 1520-6394
Titre abrégé: Depress Anxiety
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 9708816
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
23 Mar 2021
23 Mar 2021
Historique:
revised:
16
02
2021
received:
09
08
2020
accepted:
02
03
2021
entrez:
23
3
2021
pubmed:
24
3
2021
medline:
24
3
2021
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Fear-learning through observing others begins early in life. Yet, most observational fear-learning research has focused on adults. The current study used a novel developmentally appropriate observational fear conditioning paradigm to examine differences in observational fear-learning among children, adolescents, and adults. Thirty-six typically developing children, 41 typically developing adolescents, and 40 adults underwent differential observational fear conditioning followed by a direct exposure test. Skin conductance response (SCR) and self-reported fear were measured. Successful differential observational fear-learning was demonstrated in all three age groups as indexed by SCR, yet developmental differences emerged. Children showed overall higher physiological arousal during acquisition compared to adolescents and adults. Additionally, children reported less differential fear and were less successful at reporting the conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus contingency compared to adolescents and adults. Finally, adolescents tended to overgeneralize their fear compared with adults. This is the first study to compare observational fear-learning among children, adolescents, and adults. The novel task effectively induced observational fear-learning, particularly among adolescents and adults. Findings revealed developmental differences that have both theoretical and clinical implications.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Fear-learning through observing others begins early in life. Yet, most observational fear-learning research has focused on adults. The current study used a novel developmentally appropriate observational fear conditioning paradigm to examine differences in observational fear-learning among children, adolescents, and adults.
METHOD
METHODS
Thirty-six typically developing children, 41 typically developing adolescents, and 40 adults underwent differential observational fear conditioning followed by a direct exposure test. Skin conductance response (SCR) and self-reported fear were measured.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Successful differential observational fear-learning was demonstrated in all three age groups as indexed by SCR, yet developmental differences emerged. Children showed overall higher physiological arousal during acquisition compared to adolescents and adults. Additionally, children reported less differential fear and were less successful at reporting the conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus contingency compared to adolescents and adults. Finally, adolescents tended to overgeneralize their fear compared with adults.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to compare observational fear-learning among children, adolescents, and adults. The novel task effectively induced observational fear-learning, particularly among adolescents and adults. Findings revealed developmental differences that have both theoretical and clinical implications.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33755265
doi: 10.1002/da.23152
pmc: PMC10240144
mid: NIHMS1897480
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Subventions
Organisme : Intramural NIH HHS
ID : ZIA MH002781
Pays : United States
Informations de copyright
© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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