Observational threat learning influences costly avoidance behaviour in healthy humans
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Observational threat learning influences costly avoidance behaviour in healthy humans. / Mueller, Madeleine; Cohen, Oded; Shechner, Tomer; Haaker, Jan.
In: SCI REP-UK, Vol. 14, No. 1, 28.07.2024, p. 17346.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Observational threat learning influences costly avoidance behaviour in healthy humans
AU - Mueller, Madeleine
AU - Cohen, Oded
AU - Shechner, Tomer
AU - Haaker, Jan
N1 - © 2024. The Author(s).
PY - 2024/7/28
Y1 - 2024/7/28
N2 - Avoidance is an essential behaviour for ensuring safety in uncertain and dangerous environments. One way to learn what is dangerous and must be avoided is through observational threat learning. This online study explored the behavioural implications of observed threat learning, examining how participants avoided or approached a learned threat and how this affected their movement patterns. Participants (n = 89) completed an observational threat learning task, rating their fear, discomfort, and physical arousal in response to conditioned stimuli. The retrieval of learned threat was reassessed 24 h later, followed by a reminder of the observed threat associations. Participants subsequently completed a computerised avoidance task, in which they navigated from a starting point to an endpoint by selecting one of two doors, each associated with either safety or danger, relying on observed information. Opting for the safe door entailed increased effort to attain the goal. Results demonstrated that observational threat learning influenced avoidance behaviour and decision-making dependent on baseline effort level. Participants tended to exhibit thigmotaxis, staying close to walls and taking extra steps to reach their goal. This behaviour indirectly mediated the number of steps taken. This study provides valuable insights into avoidance behaviour following observational threat learning in healthy humans.
AB - Avoidance is an essential behaviour for ensuring safety in uncertain and dangerous environments. One way to learn what is dangerous and must be avoided is through observational threat learning. This online study explored the behavioural implications of observed threat learning, examining how participants avoided or approached a learned threat and how this affected their movement patterns. Participants (n = 89) completed an observational threat learning task, rating their fear, discomfort, and physical arousal in response to conditioned stimuli. The retrieval of learned threat was reassessed 24 h later, followed by a reminder of the observed threat associations. Participants subsequently completed a computerised avoidance task, in which they navigated from a starting point to an endpoint by selecting one of two doors, each associated with either safety or danger, relying on observed information. Opting for the safe door entailed increased effort to attain the goal. Results demonstrated that observational threat learning influenced avoidance behaviour and decision-making dependent on baseline effort level. Participants tended to exhibit thigmotaxis, staying close to walls and taking extra steps to reach their goal. This behaviour indirectly mediated the number of steps taken. This study provides valuable insights into avoidance behaviour following observational threat learning in healthy humans.
KW - Humans
KW - Avoidance Learning/physiology
KW - Male
KW - Female
KW - Adult
KW - Fear
KW - Young Adult
KW - Decision Making/physiology
KW - Adolescent
KW - Learning/physiology
U2 - 10.1038/s41598-024-65602-3
DO - 10.1038/s41598-024-65602-3
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 39069563
VL - 14
SP - 17346
JO - SCI REP-UK
JF - SCI REP-UK
SN - 2045-2322
IS - 1
ER -