A startle-probe methodology for investigating the effects of active avoidance on negative emotional reactivity

This study introduces a new methodology for investigating the impact of act ive avoidance and behavioral control on defensive emotional reactivity usin g the startle reflex. A between-groups yoked design was devised that permit ted manipulation of participants' perception of control over an aversive ev ent (loud noise) while precisely controlling motor activity and noxious sti mulation. Startle responses to tactile (airpuff) probes were compared durin g threat/performance trials and neutral trials. Results conclusively demons trated cross-modal startle potentiation in the context of a continuous moto r performance task. Also, consistent with prior research, heart rate increa sed with perceived control. However, behavioral control per se did not appe ar to mitigate defensive emotion as indexed by startle potentiation. These findings indicate that other parameters may mediate the efficacy of active coping in addition to control, and that the startle probe paradigm can prov ide a valuable tool for investigating these parameters in future research. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.