Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience (May 2022)

Adaptation of Threat Responses Within the Negative Valence Framework

  • Nancy J. Smith,
  • Nancy J. Smith,
  • Sara Y. Markowitz,
  • Sara Y. Markowitz,
  • Ann N. Hoffman,
  • Ann N. Hoffman,
  • Ann N. Hoffman,
  • Michael S. Fanselow,
  • Michael S. Fanselow,
  • Michael S. Fanselow

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2022.886771
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16

Abstract

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External threats are a major source of our experience of negatively valanced emotion. As a threat becomes closer and more real, our specific behavior patterns and our experiences of negative affect change in response to the perceived imminence of threat. Recognizing this, the National Institute of Mental Health’s Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Negative Valence system is largely based around different levels of threat imminence. This perspective describes the correspondence between the RDoC Negative Valence System and a particular neurobiological/neuroecological model of reactions to threat, the Predatory Imminence Continuum (PIC) Theory. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as an illustration, we describe both adaptive and maladaptive behavior patterns from this perspective to illustrate how behavior in response to a crisis may get shaped. We end with suggestions on how further consideration of the PIC suggests potential modifications of the negative valence systems RDoC.

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