Predictable and unpredictable aversive events: Evidence for the safety-signal hypothesis
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TL;DR
The results indicated that arousal is greatest for the unpredictable group during intertrial intervals rather than during the presentation of the UCS, according to Seligman's safety-signal hypothesis.
Abstract
GSR was compared in two groups exposed to either predictable or unpredictable aversive stimuli. Spontaneous fluctuation (SF) of skin resistance was the primary variable measured because it is unconfounded by attentional responses elicited by experimental stimuli. The unpredictable group showed nearly twice as many SFs as the predictable group. Amplitude of GSR occurring within 0–4 sec after onset of the aversive stimulus differentiated between groups, but amplitude of GSR occurring within 4–8 sec after onset did not. The results, discussed in terms of Seligman's safety-signal hypothesis, indicated that arousal is greatest for the unpredictable group during intertrial intervals rather than during the presentation of the UCS.