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Vulnerability and conditioning in relation to the human menstrual cycle.
The British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
|February 1, 1977
Summary
Phobic patients showed increased conditioned responses and resistance to extinction during the pre-menstrual phase. Menstrual cycle phase significantly impacts symptom acquisition and extinction in phobias.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychophysiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Symptom acquisition models propose cyclical influences on phobic responses.
- Understanding these influences is crucial for effective phobia treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of the menstrual cycle on conditioned fear responses.
- To examine how hormonal fluctuations impact symptom acquisition and extinction in phobic patients.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen female phobic patients were tested during pre-menstrual and inter-menstrual phases.
- Conditioned galvanic skin response (GSR) to a blue light (CS) using white noise (UCS) was measured.
- Resistance to extinction of conditioned responses was assessed.
Main Results:
- Phobic patients exhibited readily established conditioned GSR responses during the pre-menstrual phase.
- The pre-menstrual group demonstrated significant resistance to extinction of conditioned responses.
- Subjects tested during the inter-menstrual phase showed less susceptibility to conditioning and extinction effects.
- Contraceptive pill use was associated with increased sensitivity to conditioned response acquisition.
Conclusions:
- The menstrual cycle, particularly the pre-menstrual phase, significantly influences conditioned response acquisition and extinction in phobic patients.
- Hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle may play a role in phobia symptom severity and persistence.
- Findings suggest potential for cycle-phase-specific interventions in phobia treatment.