A two-dimensional view of defensive systems: Defensive distance and fear/anxiety

McNaughton, Neil and Corr, Philip J. (2004) A two-dimensional view of defensive systems: Defensive distance and fear/anxiety. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 28 (3). pp. 285-305. ISSN 1873-7528

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Abstract

We present in this paper a picture of the neural systems controlling defense that updates and simplifies Gray's “Neuropsychology of Anxiety”. It is based on two behavioural dimensions: ‘defensive distance’ as defined by the Blanchards and ‘defensive direction’. Defensive direction is a categorical dimension with avoidance of threat corresponding to fear and approach to threat corresponding to anxiety. These two psychological dimensions are mapped to underlying neural dimensions. Defensive distance is mapped to neural level, with the shortest defensive distances involving the lowest neural level (periaqueductal grey) and the largest defensive distances the highest neural level (prefrontal cortex). Defensive direction is mapped to separate parallel streams that run across these levels. A significant departure from prior models is the proposal that both fear and anxiety are represented at all levels. The theory is presented in a simplified form that does not incorporate the interactions that must occur between non-adjacent levels of the system. It also requires expansion to include the dimension of escapability of threat. Our current development and these proposed future extensions do not change the core concepts originally proposed by Gray and, we argue, demonstrate their enduring value.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Social Work and Psychology (former - to 2012) Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User:	Nicole Ranaweera
Date Deposited:	30 Nov 2010 11:34
Last Modified:	08 Aug 2023 13:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/15802
DOI:	10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.03.005

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