The_Behavioral_Inhibition_System_and_the_Verbal_Information_Pathway_to_Children%27s_Fears.pdf (912.01 kB)
The behavioral inhibition system and the verbal information pathway to children's fears
The behavioral inhibition system (BIS) is the neurological substrate of trait anxiety and is linked to the development of anxiety disorders. Three experiments are reported that investigate the moderating influence of the BIS on 1 pathway to fear: threat information. In all studies, children were given verbal information about a set of novel animals, and their BIS sensitivity was measured. The results suggest that BIS sensitivity (a) facilitates attentional biases to stimuli associated with threat information and (b) facilitates behavioral avoidance of novel stimuli associated with threat information. This suggests a possible mechanism through which the BIS may promote the acquisition of animal fears.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
Journal of Abnormal PsychologyISSN
0021-843XPublisher
American Psychological AssociationExternal DOI
Issue
4Volume
115Page range
742-752Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes