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Specific fear modulates attentional selectivity during visual search: Electrophysiological insights from the N2pc
Author(s) -
Weymar Mathias,
Gerdes Antje B. M.,
Löw Andreas,
Alpers Georg W.,
Hamm Alfons O.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/psyp.12008
Subject(s) - n2pc , psychology , visual search , electrophysiology , selective attention , visual attention , cognitive psychology , neuroscience , cognition
In the present study, we used high‐density EEG during a visual search task to investigate the dynamics of spatial attention to fear‐relevant targets and background stimuli in small animal phobia during a visual search task. Twenty‐five spider fearful (22 females) and 25 healthy nonfearful participants (19 females) were measured, while searching for discrepant objects in visual arrays. Compared to nonfearful participants, s pider fearful individuals showed a more enhanced posterior N2pc to spider (vs. butterfly) targets in an array of flowers. Furthermore, spider fearful participants showed enhanced hypervigilance for all presented stimuli compared to controls as reflected by enhanced N1 amplitudes (160–200 ms). Our findings provide neural evidence for early, enhanced selective spatial attention for fear‐relevant stimuli.