Development of a Classical Conditioning Task for Humans Examining Phasic Heart Rate Responses to Signaled Appetitive Stimuli: A Pilot Study

• DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.639372
• Publication Date: 2021-04-01T04:18:11Z
• Authors: Alessandra Sayão; Heloisa Alves; Emi Furukawa; Thomas Schultz Wenk; Mauricio Cagy; Samantha Gutierre...; Gail Tripp; Egas Caparelli-Dá...
• Keywords: Caloric theory; Orienting response

Cardiac responses to appetitive stimuli have been studied as indices of motivational states and attentional processes, the former being associated with cardiac acceleration latter deceleration. Very few studies examined heart rate changes in classical conditioning humans. The current study describes development pilot testing a task assess cues that reliably precede them. Data from 18 adults were examined. They shown initially neutral visual (putative CS) on computer screen followed by pictures high-caloric food (US). Phasic deceleration images was observed, consistent an orienting response motivationally significant stimuli. Similar observed non-appetitive when they preceded cue images, suggesting processes engaged conditioned These autonomic provide information about effects