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Aversive Learning and Trait Aggression Influence Retaliatory Behavior

In two experiments (n = 35, n = 34), we used a modified fear-conditioning paradigm to investigate the role of aversive learning in retaliatory behavior in social context. Participants first completed an initial aversive learning phase in which the pairing of a neutral conditioned stimulus (CS; i.e.,...

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Autores principales: Molapour, Tanaz, Lindström, Björn, Olsson, Andreas
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Frontiers Media S.A. 2016
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4896936/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27375520
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00833
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author Molapour, Tanaz
Lindström, Björn
Olsson, Andreas
author_facet Molapour, Tanaz
Lindström, Björn
Olsson, Andreas
author_sort Molapour, Tanaz
collection PubMed
description In two experiments (n = 35, n = 34), we used a modified fear-conditioning paradigm to investigate the role of aversive learning in retaliatory behavior in social context. Participants first completed an initial aversive learning phase in which the pairing of a neutral conditioned stimulus (CS; i.e., neutral face) with a naturally aversive unconditioned stimulus (US; electric shock) was learned. Then they were given an opportunity to interact (i.e., administer 0–2 shocks) with the same faces again, during a Test phase. In Experiment 2, we used the same paradigm with the addition of online trial-by-trial ratings (e.g., US expectancy and anger) to examine the role of aversive learning, anger, and the learned expectancy of receiving punishment more closely. Our results indicate that learned aversions influenced future retaliation in a social context. In both experiments, participants showed largest skin conductance responses (SCRs) to the faces paired with one or two shocks, demonstrating successful aversive learning. Importantly, participants administered more shocks to the faces paired with the most number of shocks when the opportunity was given during test. Also, our results revealed that aggressive traits (Buss and Perry Aggression scale) were associated with retaliation only toward CSs associated with aversive experiences. These two experiments show that aggressive traits, when paired with aversive learning experiences enhance the likelihood to act anti-socially toward others.
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spelling pubmed-48969362016-07-01 Aversive Learning and Trait Aggression Influence Retaliatory Behavior Molapour, Tanaz Lindström, Björn Olsson, Andreas Front Psychol Psychology In two experiments (n = 35, n = 34), we used a modified fear-conditioning paradigm to investigate the role of aversive learning in retaliatory behavior in social context. Participants first completed an initial aversive learning phase in which the pairing of a neutral conditioned stimulus (CS; i.e., neutral face) with a naturally aversive unconditioned stimulus (US; electric shock) was learned. Then they were given an opportunity to interact (i.e., administer 0–2 shocks) with the same faces again, during a Test phase. In Experiment 2, we used the same paradigm with the addition of online trial-by-trial ratings (e.g., US expectancy and anger) to examine the role of aversive learning, anger, and the learned expectancy of receiving punishment more closely. Our results indicate that learned aversions influenced future retaliation in a social context. In both experiments, participants showed largest skin conductance responses (SCRs) to the faces paired with one or two shocks, demonstrating successful aversive learning. Importantly, participants administered more shocks to the faces paired with the most number of shocks when the opportunity was given during test. Also, our results revealed that aggressive traits (Buss and Perry Aggression scale) were associated with retaliation only toward CSs associated with aversive experiences. These two experiments show that aggressive traits, when paired with aversive learning experiences enhance the likelihood to act anti-socially toward others. Frontiers Media S.A. 2016-06-08 /pmc/articles/PMC4896936/ /pubmed/27375520 http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00833 Text en Copyright © 2016 Molapour, Lindström and Olsson. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
spellingShingle Psychology
Molapour, Tanaz
Lindström, Björn
Olsson, Andreas
Aversive Learning and Trait Aggression Influence Retaliatory Behavior
title Aversive Learning and Trait Aggression Influence Retaliatory Behavior
title_full Aversive Learning and Trait Aggression Influence Retaliatory Behavior
title_fullStr Aversive Learning and Trait Aggression Influence Retaliatory Behavior
title_full_unstemmed Aversive Learning and Trait Aggression Influence Retaliatory Behavior
title_short Aversive Learning and Trait Aggression Influence Retaliatory Behavior
title_sort aversive learning and trait aggression influence retaliatory behavior
topic Psychology
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4896936/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27375520
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00833
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