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. 2023 Jul-Sep;23(3):100368.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2023.100368. Epub 2023 Jan 24.

Conscious knowledge of CS-UCS contingency information affects extinction retrieval of conditioned disgust responses: Findings from an online de novo disgust conditioning task

Annalisa Lipp  1   2 , Beray Macit  1   2 , Marcella L Woud  2 , Ekrem Dere  1 , Armin Zlomuzica  1
Affiliations

Conscious knowledge of CS-UCS contingency information affects extinction retrieval of conditioned disgust responses: Findings from an online de novo disgust conditioning task

Annalisa Lipp et al. Int J Clin Health Psychol. 2023 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to establish and develop an online de novo conditioning paradigm for the measurement of conditioned disgust responses. We further explored the effects of explicit instructions about the CS-UCS contingency on extinction learning and retrieval of conditioned disgust responses.

Method: The study included a sample of 115 healthy participants. Geometric figures served as conditioned stimuli (CS) and disgust-evoking pictures as unconditioned stimuli (UCS). During disgust conditioning, the CS+ was paired with the UCS (66% reinforcement) and the CS- remained unpaired; during extinction and retrieval, no UCS was presented. Half of the participants (n = 54) received instructions prior to the disgust extinction stating that the UCS will not be presented anymore. 1-2 days or 7-8 days later participants performed a retrieval test. CS-UCS contingency, disgust and valence ratings were used as dependent measures.

Results: Successful acquisition of conditioned disgust response was observed on the level of CS-UCS contingency, disgust and valence ratings. While some decline in valence and disgust ratings during the extinction stage was observed, contingency instructions did not significantly affect extinction performance. Retrieval one week later revealed that contingency instructions increased the discrimination of the CSs.

Conclusions: Extinction of conditioned disgust responses is not affected by explicit knowledge of the CS-UCS contingencies. However, contingency instructions prior to extinction seem to have a detrimental effect on long-term extinction retrieval.

Keywords: Awareness; Disgust; Extinction; Extinction retrieval; Instructions.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
A. Disgust Conditioning Paradigm. The experiment started with a habituation phase, then the disgust acquisition took place. Half of the participants received contingency instructions prior to the extinction, whereas the other half did not. The second part of the study (retrieval) was performed within 1-2 days or one week (7-8 days) later. B. Example trials of CS+ and CS-.
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Mean difference scores of the CS-UCS contingency, valence and disgust ratings at the middle and end of disgust acquisition and extinction and before and after retrieval in the CI and NI group one or two days and one week (7-8 days) later. p < 0.1. *p < .05. ** p < .01. ***p < .001. Error bars represent standard error.
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