Understanding how negative emotions influence behavior and decision-making
Dispositional Negativity and the Pavlovian Control of Active and Passive Defensive Behavior
This study looks at how feelings like anxiety and anger can change the way we make choices and act, using fun experiments and brain scans to understand what happens in our minds when we face tough situations, which could help people dealing with similar emotional challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10880540 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how individual differences in negative emotions, such as anxiety and anger, affect behavior and decision-making. It employs behavioral experiments, computational modeling, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the underlying learning processes associated with these emotions. By examining the neural mechanisms involved, the research aims to clarify how these emotional responses can lead to either passive avoidance or active defense behaviors in challenging situations. This understanding could provide insights into various psychological conditions linked to negative affect.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 who experience significant anxiety or anger in their daily lives.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience negative affect or those with conditions unrelated to anxiety or aggression may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for psychological conditions characterized by negative emotions, enhancing patient well-being.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding the neural mechanisms of emotions and their impact on behavior, suggesting that this approach is promising.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Timothy a — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Allen, Timothy a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.