Which type of conditioning was utilized in the Dias and Ressler (2014) study?

The Dias and Ressler (2014) study utilized classical conditioning, which is a learning process that involves associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response. In this particular study, researchers explored how fear responses can be conditioned in mice through associations made between a specific stimulus and an aversive experience.

In classical conditioning, the neutral stimulus becomes associated with the unconditioned stimulus, leading to the conditioned response. For example, if a tone was presented at the same time as a mild shock, the mice would eventually exhibit a fear response to the tone alone, demonstrating that they had learned to associate the two through their experiences.

Utilizing classical conditioning is significant for understanding mechanisms of fear and memory, especially in the context of emotional responses and how these can be inherited across generations. This method helps researchers investigate the underlying processes of fear learning and potential treatments for anxiety-related disorders.