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Enhanced processing of threatening stimuli: The case of face recognition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

Linda Mealey
Linda Mealey
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN 56374, lmealey@csbsju.edu
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Abstract

Because of their evolutionary importance, threat-detection mechanisms are likely to exist at a variety of levels. A recent study of face recognition suggests that novel stimuli receive enhanced processing when presented as fear-related. This suggests the existence of a complex, context-dependent threat-detection mechanism that can adaptively respond to spatiotemporally varying and unique environmental features.

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Open Peer Commentary
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Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , June 1995, pp. 304 - 305
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Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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