Aversive picture processing: Effects of a concurrent task on sustained defensive system engagement

Viewing a series of aversive pictures prompts emotional reactivity reflecting sustained defensive engagement. The present study examined the effects of a concurrent visual task on autonomic, somatic, electrocortical, and facial components of this defensive state. Results indicated that emotional act...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychophysiology 2011-01, Vol.48 (1), p.112-116
Main Authors: Wangelin, Bethany C., Löw, Andreas, McTeague, Lisa M., Bradley, Margaret M., Lang, Peter J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attention - physiology
Cerebral Cortex - physiology
Chi-Square Distribution
EEG/ERP
Electrodermal
Electroencephalography
Electromyography
EMG
Emotion
Emotional intelligence
Emotions - physiology
Evoked Potentials - physiology
Female
Galvanic Skin Response - physiology
heart rate
Heart Rate - physiology
Humans
Indexing in process
Male
Photic Stimulation
Reflex, Startle - physiology
Startle blink
Visual task performance
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Summary:Viewing a series of aversive pictures prompts emotional reactivity reflecting sustained defensive engagement. The present study examined the effects of a concurrent visual task on autonomic, somatic, electrocortical, and facial components of this defensive state. Results indicated that emotional activation was largely preserved despite continuous visual distraction, although evidence of attenuation was observed in startle reflex and electrocortical measures. Concurrent task‐specific reactivity was also apparent, suggesting that motivational circuits can be simultaneously activated by stimuli with intrinsic survival significance and instructed task significance and that these processes interact differently across the separate components of defensive engagement.
ISSN:0048-5772
1469-8986
1540-5958
DOI:10.1111/j.1469-8986.2010.01041.x