Document Detail


Modulation of the acoustic startle reflex by emotionally-toned film-clips.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10192007     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
It has been widely reported that the eyeblink component of the acoustic startle reflex can be modulated by emotionally-toned slide stimuli; pleasant slides reduce eyeblink amplitudes whereas unpleasant slides enhance them. The present study examines the modulation of the acoustic startle reflex by short (2-min) film-clips classified as pleasant, unpleasant or neutral, on the basis of subjective ratings. These film-clips were also evaluated with respect to their test-retest reliability in producing affective states as well as modulating startle reflexes. Overall, results showed significant reduction of startle during pleasant clips and augmentation during unpleasant clips. However, on first showing, one of the two unpleasant clips (a medical demonstration film depicting details of toe surgery) actually inhibited the startle reflex rather than augmented it. This is discussed in terms of the proposition that only stimuli which arouse fear can be guaranteed to augment startle; stimuli that are repulsive may produce perceptual and emotional 'blunting' that reduces startle amplitude.
Authors:
H Kaviani; J A Gray; S A Checkley; V Kumari; G D Wilson
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  International journal of psychophysiology : official journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology     Volume:  32     ISSN:  0167-8760     ISO Abbreviation:  Int J Psychophysiol     Publication Date:  1999 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1999-06-22     Completed Date:  1999-06-22     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8406214     Medline TA:  Int J Psychophysiol     Country:  NETHERLANDS    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  47-54     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of London, UK.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acoustic Stimulation
Adult
Blinking / physiology
Electromyography
Emotions / physiology*
Female
Humans
Male
Startle Reaction / physiology*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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