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Stress-induced recovery of fears and phobias.

Jacobs, W. J., Nadel, Lynn·1985·Psychological Review
DOI 10.1037/0033-295x.92.4.512
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Abstract

Accounts of human fears and phobias based on current conditioning models using data from adults are examined and found wanting. Instead, the characteristics of human phobias resemble the kind of learning found during the amnesic period of infancy. As certain neural systems mature, conditioning begins to exhibit adult characteristics: context dependency, sharp generalization, and rapid extinction. Al-though direct behavioral control by the early learning systems wanes, the adult learning system seems to be structured at least/partially through the lasting influence of infantile experience. Under (hormonal) stress, residues of early experience are reinstated and incorporated into adult memory where they directly control behavior. This control exhibits infantile characteristics. The evidence suggests that once ac-quired, such conditional fears might never be eliminated using traditional extinction or counterconditioning procedures. The view leads to a renewed emphasis upon the role of experience in human development, accepting the disproportionate im-portance of infant experience as the foundation upon which subsequent learning and cognitive function rest.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0033-295x.92.4.512

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  • The long-held view that under extreme stress there are differential effects on multiple memory systems is scientifically plausible.

    “The literature reviewed indicates that the long-held view that under extreme stress there are differential effects on multiple memory systems (Jacobs & Nadel, 1985; Janet, 1904; Metcalfe & Jacobs, 1998; Terr, 1991; van der Kolk & Fisler, 1995) is scientifically plausible.”

    From Episodic memory, perceptual memory, and their interaction: Foundations for a theory of posttraumatic stress disorder. (2014) · cites this paper as Jacobs & Nadel, 1985

  • Experimental research implies that under some circumstances the strength of involuntary image-based trauma memories is unrelated to, or inversely related to, the strength of voluntary memory for the trauma as measured using indices of recall or recognition.

    “This research implies that under some circumstances the strength of involuntary image-based trauma memories is unrelated to, or inversely related to, the strength of voluntary memory for the trauma as measured using indices of recall or recognition.”

    From Episodic memory, perceptual memory, and their interaction: Foundations for a theory of posttraumatic stress disorder. (2014) · cites this paper as Jacobs & Nadel, 1985

  • The capture of sensory images by the SAM system is seen as a functional response to the down-regulation of the episodic memory system under extreme stress, allowing a large quantity of survival-related information to be encoded and stored for long periods even though conscious attention may be more narrowly focused on the source of threat.

    “The capture of sensory images by the SAM system is seen as a functional response to the down-regulation of the episodic memory system under extreme stress (Jacobs & Nadel, 1985; Metcalfe & Jacobs, 1998), allowing a large quantity of survival-related information to be encoded and stored for long periods even though conscious attention may be more narrowly focused on the source of threat.”

    From Episodic memory, perceptual memory, and their interaction: Foundations for a theory of posttraumatic stress disorder. (2014) · cites this paper as Jacobs & Nadel, 1985

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Authors
Jacobs, W. J., & Nadel, L.
Affiliations
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
  • University of California, Irvine (US)
ORCID
Nadel, Lynn
Venue
Psychological Review
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
1985
Volume
92
Issue
4
Pages
512-531
ISSN
  • 0033-295X (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1471
DOI
10.1037/0033-295x.92.4.512
OpenAlex
W2069618749
Cited by
322
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 7
FWCI
4.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychological Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS-17711)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
phobia, fear conditioning, stress, infantile amnesia, extinction, counterconditioning, context sensitivity, generalization, memory, neuronal maturation, early life experience, human development, hormonal stress
MeSH terms
Amnesia, Animals, Conditioning, Psychological, Environment, Extinction, Psychological, Fear, Hippocampus, Hormones, Humans, Human Development, Models, Neurological, Phobic Disorders, Stress, Physiological, Stress, Psychological, Rats

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