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Review
. 2001 Jul;108(3):483-522.
doi: 10.1037/0033-295x.108.3.483.

Fears, phobias, and preparedness: toward an evolved module of fear and fear learning

A Ohman  1 , S Mineka
Affiliations
Review

Fears, phobias, and preparedness: toward an evolved module of fear and fear learning

A Ohman et al. Psychol Rev. 2001 Jul.

Abstract

An evolved module for fear elicitation and fear learning with 4 characteristics is proposed. (a) The fear module is preferentially activated in aversive contexts by stimuli that are fear relevant in an evolutionary perspective. (b) Its activation to such stimuli is automatic. (c) It is relatively impenetrable to cognitive control. (d) It originates in a dedicated neural circuitry, centered on the amygdala. Evidence supporting these propositions is reviewed from conditioning studies, both in humans and in monkeys; illusory correlation studies; studies using unreportable stimuli; and studies from animal neuroscience. The fear module is assumed to mediate an emotional level of fear learning that is relatively independent and dissociable from cognitive learning of stimulus relationships.

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