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Related Experiment Video

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Investigating Pain-Related Avoidance Behavior using a Robotic Arm-Reaching Paradigm

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Published on: October 3, 2020

Working hard to avoid: Fixed-ratio response effort and maladaptive avoidance in humans.

Simon Dymond^1,2, Weike Xia¹, Keith Lloyd³

¹School of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.

Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (2006)

|September 16, 2022

Summary

High response effort in avoidance learning, even for safe cues, leads to persistent anxiety and fear. This highlights the need for treatments targeting effortful avoidance in anxiety disorders.

Keywords:

Avoidance anxiety extinction fear fixed-ratio schedules response prevention

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Last Updated: Aug 28, 2025

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Neuroscience
Clinical Psychology

Background:

Maladaptive avoidance is a core feature of anxiety disorders.
Response effort's role in avoidance acquisition and extinction is understudied.
Understanding effortful avoidance may improve clinical treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of high versus low response effort on avoidance extinction and return.
To examine the role of fixed-ratio (FR) schedules in maintaining avoidance behavior.
To assess fear and threat expectancy associated with effortful avoidance.

Main Methods:

Two laboratory-based studies using a multi-cue avoidance paradigm.
Response effort operationalized via fixed-ratio (FR) reinforcement schedules.
Measures included behavior, self-report, and physiological responses (skin conductance).

Main Results:

High response-effort avoidance persisted across both danger and safety cues.
Sustained and reinstated fear and threat expectancy were observed.
Skin conductance responses were similar across experiments, regardless of effort.

Conclusions:

High response effort contributes to extinction-resistant avoidance in humans.
Effortful avoidance, even for safety cues, maintains fear and threat.
Findings have implications for translational research and treatment development for anxiety.