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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 6, 2025

Extinction Training During the Reconsolidation Window Prevents Recovery of Fear
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Secure attachment primes reduce fear consolidation.

Metaxia Toumbelekis1, Belinda J Liddell1, Richard A Bryant1

  • 1School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Depression and Anxiety
|May 5, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Imagining an attachment figure after fear conditioning significantly reduced fear recall. This protective effect was strongest in securely attached individuals, highlighting the role of attachment in managing fear memories.

Keywords:
attachmentsfear conditioningfear consolidationsocial support

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Attachment Theory

Background:

  • Attachment security has been shown to inhibit fear acquisition.
  • This study investigates the impact of attachment figure priming on fear consolidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if imagining an attachment figure post-conditioning affects fear memory consolidation.
  • To explore the moderating role of attachment anxiety on this effect.

Main Methods:

  • 75 participants underwent fear conditioning and recall testing over two days.
  • Participants imagined an attachment figure or a neutral positive situation after conditioning.
  • Fear-potentiated startle and subjective shock expectancy measured fear learning.

Main Results:

  • The attachment group exhibited significantly lower fear recall on Day 2.
  • This reduction in fear recall was observed at both physiological and subjective levels.
  • The effect was most pronounced in individuals with high attachment security.

Conclusions:

  • Attachment relationships appear to offer protection during fear memory consolidation.
  • Social attachments may influence the development of anxiety disorders.
  • Attachment security plays a crucial role in modulating fear responses.