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PreprintCited by 13Memory and Neural MechanismsBehavioral and Psychological StudiesMemory Processes and Influences

Renewal of instrumental avoidance in humans

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Urcelay, Gonzalo Pablo, Symmons, Kadell, Amos, Bethany, Toutounji, Hazem, Prével, Arthur·2019·Journal of Experimental Psychology Animal Learning and Cognition
DOI 10.31234/osf.io/2nxkh
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Abstract

The renewal effect, which occurs when extinguished behaviour is tested outside of the extinction context, has been proposed as a model of contextual control that has relevance for the understanding of relapse following exposure therapy. Notably, there are multiple mechanisms by which the renewal effect can be explained. In two experiments, we used within-subjects designs in which participants learned to avoid a loud noise signalled by two discrete visual stimuli (CSs+), by pressing the space bar on the computer keyboard. Each CS+ was trained along with a CS- in a different context. During extinction, CS+ and CS- stimuli were presented in the alternative context from that of training, and participants were allowed to freely respond, but no loud noise was presented. Finally, all CSs were tested in both contexts, resulting in a within-subjects ABA vs ABB comparison. In both experiments, participants increased avoidance responses during training, and decreased responding during extinction, although Experiment 2 revealed less extinction. During test, responding was higher when CS+ stimuli were tested in the training (ABA) vs the extinction context (ABB), thus showing renewal of instrumental avoidance in humans. Additional analyses in Experiment 2 showed a remarkable similarity between avoidance responses and expectancy ratings. This study shows renewal of instrumental avoidance in humans, and the results suggest the operation of a modulatory role for the context in renewal, similar to occasion setting of extinction learning by the context.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Urcelay, G. P., Symmons, K., Amos, B., Toutounji, H., & Prével, A.
Affiliations
  • University of Nottingham (GB)
  • University of Leicester (GB)
  • Insigneo (GB)
  • Université de Lille (FR)
Corresponding author
Urcelay, Gonzalo Pablo
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Experimental Psychology Animal Learning and Cognition
Publisher
Center for Open Science
Published
2019-08-28
Volume
50
Issue
3
Pages
197-209
ISSN
2329-8456 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.31234/osf.io/2nxkh
OpenAlex
W4401335230
Cited by
13
References
8
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2
FWCI
0.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Experimental Psychology Animal Learning and Cognition (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Repository@Nottingham (University of Nottingham) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Repository@Nottingham (University of Nottingham) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • LillOA (Université de Lille (University Of Lille)) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
Funders
University of Nottingham
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
Keywords
instrumental avoidance, extinction, context effects, expectancy, noise avoidance, conditioned stimulus, extinction learning
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Avoidance Learning, Conditioning, Classical, Conditioning, Operant, Extinction, Psychological, Female, Humans, Male, Young Adult

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