Modulation of defensive reflexes by contextual cues: Effect of environmental light-darkness

Authors

  • María Sánchez Universidad de Granada
  • María Carmen Fernández Universidad de Granada
  • Francisca López Universidad de Granada
  • Jaime Vila Universidad de Granada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5944/ap.1.2.547

Keywords:

Startle, defense, heart rate, electromyography, fear, anxiety

Abstract

The results of a study aimed to examine the effect of manipulating environmental lightdarkness on the amplitude of two defensive reflexes -the startle motor reflex and the cardiac defense response- are presented. Using a between group design, four light levels were manipulated: complete darkness (0 Lux), penumbra (11 lux), medium light (175 lux) and intense light (1225). 60 volunteer student women participated in the study (15 per group). Both reflexes were examined, presenting a white noise of 105 dB, 500 millisecond duration and instantaneous risetime five occasions. The results show a potentiation of the cardiac defense response under conditions of darkness-penumbra, as compared to conditions of medium-intense light. These results are discussed under of Peter J. Lang's motivational priming theory and the neurophysiological differentiation between fear and anxiety.

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How to Cite

Sánchez, M., Fernández, M. C., López, F., & Vila, J. (2012). Modulation of defensive reflexes by contextual cues: Effect of environmental light-darkness. Acción Psicológica, 1(2), 121–134. https://doi.org/10.5944/ap.1.2.547

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2002)

Section

Teoría e Investigación [Theory & Research]

License

Accion Psicologica is published under Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC BY-NC). The opinions and contents of the articles published in Acción Psicológica are responsibility of the authors and do not compromise the scientific and political opinion of the journal. Authors are also responsible for providing copies of the raw data, ratings, and, in general, relevant experimental material to interested readers.