ISSN 0439-755X
CN 11-1911/B

Acta Psychologica Sinica ›› 2021, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (10): 1082-1093.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2021.01082

• Reports of Empirical Studies • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Gender difference in retrieval-extinction of conditioned fear memory

CHEN Wei1, LIN Xiaoyi1, LI Junjiao2, ZHANG Wenxi1, SUN Nan3(), ZHENG Xifu1()   

  1. 1Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
    2College of Teacher Education, Guangdong University of Education, Guangzhou 510303, China
    3School of Education (Teachers College), Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510650, China
  • Received:2021-01-20 Published:2021-10-25 Online:2021-08-23
  • Contact: SUN Nan,ZHENG Xifu E-mail:103257713@qq.com;zhengxifu@m.scnu.edu.cn

Abstract:

The retrieval-extinction paradigm based on the memory reconsolidation theory can effectively weaken the maladaptive fear memory. Gender difference is a key variable in the study of individual difference, but there are few studies on gender difference in the retrieval-extinction paradigm. In this study, stereoscopic geometry was used as the conditioned stimulus, electric shock as the unconditioned stimulus, skin conductance response as the fear response index. The results showed that all the participants in the retrieval-extinction group successfully inhibited the fear relapse in the fear spontaneous recovery test, but only the female participants inhibited the fear relapse in the reinstatement test. The results showed that the retrieval-extinction paradigm had a significant effect on inhibiting the spontaneous recovery of fear, and the fear reduction effect on reinstatement test of female was better than that of male.