Rule-based processes in generalisation and peak shift in human fear conditioning

Two experiments explored the role of verbalisable rules in generalisation of human differential fear conditioning with electric shock as the aversive stimulus. Two circles of different sizes served as conditioned stimuli (CS+ and CS-), before testing with a range of circle sizes. In Experiment 1, shock expectancy ratings followed a peak-shifted unimodal gradient, with maximum ratings at a test value further along the dimension from CS+ in the opposite direction to CS-. However, differentiable gradients were observed when participants were divided on the basis of the rules they reported using during the task (linear and similarity). Experiment 2 was designed to counter the contradictory feedback arising from extinction testing by removing the shock electrodes during the test phase. A more linear overall gradient was observed, and sub-groups defined by self-reported rules showed distinct gradients that were congruent with their rules. These results indicate that rule-based processes are influential in generalisation of conditioned fear along simple stimulus dimensions, and may help explain generalisation phenomena that have traditionally been attributed to automatic, similarity-based processes.