Institute of Psychology
Institute of Psychology
New Paper published!
13 July 2022, by Anke Ellegast
We are happy to share that a new paper from the lab is published in International Journal of Psychophysiology! Congratulations!
In our study, we investigated the impact of intolerance of uncertainty on physiological responses to impending threat with different probabilities of occurrence. In other words: How do individuals - who have trouble coping with uncertainty - respond if a threat is rare? We manipulated different parameters of predictability of threat (temporal predictability and probability of occurrence) and measured the startle reflex. Individuals with increased intolerance of uncertainty displayed increased startle responses in anticipation of threat with lower probability of occurrence. Thus, in situations with unlikely threat, individuals who have trouble coping with uncertainty appear to respond with increased defensive preparedness.
Carsten, H. P., Härpfer, K., & Riesel, A. (2022). A rare scare: The role of intolerance of uncertainty in startle responses and event-related potentials in anticipation of unpredictable threat. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 179, 56-66.
