Abstract

ABSTRACT Alternative interpretations of startle probe modulation by a pictorial foreground were tested: Either reflex amplitude varies as a function of modality‐determined attention allocation, or, regardless of probe modality, reflex amplitude varies with the emotional valence of the foreground content. Thirty‐six subjects viewed a series of 54 slides, divided into two 27‐slide blocks. Each block consisted of nine exemplars of three independently rated emotional content categories—pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant. Startle probes, half visual (flashgun) and half acoustic (white noise), were presented unpredictably during and between slide presentations. Eyeblink reflexes, corrugator and orbicularis oculi muscle tension, heart rate, and skin conductance were recorded during a 6‐s slide interval. Subjects subsequently rated the slides for emotional valence and arousal, and interest value. Free‐viewing times were also recorded. Analysis of reflex response and all ancillary measures supported the hypothesis that the primary determinant of startle modulation was the emotional valence of foreground content.

Keywords

Moro reflexPsychologyAudiologyValence (chemistry)ArousalReflexCorneal reflexEmotional valenceOrbicularis oculi muscleStartle responseCommunicationDevelopmental psychologyNeuroscienceCognitionMedicineChemistry

MeSH Terms

ArousalAttentionBlinkingElectromyographyEmotionsHumansReflexStartle

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Publication Info

Year
1990
Type
article
Volume
27
Issue
5
Pages
513-522
Citations
403
Access
Closed

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Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions

Citation Metrics

403
OpenAlex
23
Influential
288
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Cite This

Margaret M. Bradley, Bruce N. Cuthbert, Peter J. Lang (1990). Startle Reflex Modification: Emotion or Attention?. Psychophysiology , 27 (5) , 513-522. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.1990.tb01966.x

Identifiers

DOI
10.1111/j.1469-8986.1990.tb01966.x
PMID
2274614

Data Quality

Data completeness: 81%