The (un)predictability of threat influences anticipatory emotional and motivational states. However, few investigations have examined the impact of threat type on defensive motivation. Two within-subject studies (total N = 134) examined defense motivation (startle reflex) and attentional engagement (probe N100, P300) in anticipation of shock and an aversive noise (scream) during a no, predictable, and unpredictable threat (NPU-threat) task. In Study 1, startle was potentiated for unpredictable shock and scream, but potentiation was greater for shock. Startle was potentiated for predictable shock but attenuated for predictable scream. In Study 2, the scream was paired with a scared female face. Startle was potentiated for both predictable and unpredictable shock and scream. The probe N100 was enhanced during unpredictable threat and the probe P300 was suppressed during both predictable and unpredictable threat. The present study suggests that threat type impacts unpredictable (but not predictable) defensive motivation but not attentional engagement. Moreover, predictable auditory aversive stimuli need a paired visual stimulus to enhance defensive motivation.

中文翻译：

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NPU威胁任务期间威胁类型对防御动机和注意力的差异影响

威胁的（不可预测性）影响预期的情绪和动机状态。但是，很少有调查研究威胁类型对防御动机的影响。两项主题内研究（总计N = 134）在没有，可预测和不可预测的威胁（NPU威胁）任务中，检查了预期休克和厌恶噪声（尖叫）时的防御动机（惊吓反射）和注意力投入（探针N100，P300）。在研究1中，惊吓增强了不可预测的电击和尖叫，但增强了电击的增强。惊吓增强了可预见的电击，但减弱了可预见的尖叫声。在研究2中，尖叫声与害怕的女性面孔配对。惊吓被增强为可预测和不可预测的震动和尖叫。N100探针在不可预测的威胁中得到增强，而P300探针在可预测和不可预测的威胁中均被抑制。本研究表明，威胁类型会影响不可预测（但不可预测）的防御动机，但不会影响注意力参与。此外，