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Updated: May 15, 2025
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Author Spotlight: Exploring Neural Correlates of Defensive Behaviors in Fear Learning and Extinction
Published on: December 15, 2023
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Transition ability to safe states reduces fear responses to height
Misako Fujino1,2, Masahiko Haruno1,2
1Neural Information Engineering Laboratory, Center for Information and Neural Networks, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan.
Summary
Active virtual reality (VR) flight reduced fear responses by allowing participants to predict safety through their own actions. This action-dependent safety prediction lowered both physiological (skin conductance response) and subjective fear scores.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Virtual Reality
Background:
- Fear extinction typically involves exposure to feared contexts without negative outcomes.
- Individuals may also reduce fear by predicting safety through their own actions, even in threatening situations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if active virtual reality (VR) flight reduces fear responses to heights.
- To determine if action-dependent safety prediction contributes to fear reduction.
Main Methods:
- Two VR experiments were conducted using height and flight scenarios.
- Participants actively flew in VR (flight group) or passively watched a video (control group).
- Skin conductance response (SCR) and subjective fear scores (SFS) were measured before and after the VR task.
Main Results:
- The active VR flight group showed significantly greater reductions in both SCR and SFS compared to the control group.
- Action-dependent safety prediction positively contributed to SCR reduction in the flight group.
Conclusions:
- The ability to transition to safe states via self-initiated actions can effectively reduce physiological and subjective fear.
- VR-based active experiences offer a novel approach for fear reduction strategies.
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