Avoidance behavior as a result of one-sided exertion of cognitive control in specific phobia (C05*)

• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology ; Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
• Term: from 2016 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 178833530

This project investigates the role of cognitive control in specific phobia; an anxiety disorder with clear-cut avoidance behavior to a circumscribed stimulus. We propose fear/anxiety-related avoidance behavior to be the result of a dysfunctional and one-sided style of exercising cognitive control. We will conduct fMRI and behavioral experiments and assess approach-avoidance behavior in real-life (via experience sampling) to (a) elucidate the neural and behavioral correlates of one-sided cognitive control exertion in phobia patients and (b) to identify predictors for success of exposure therapy.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 940: Volition and Cognitive Control: Mechanisms, Modulators and Dysfunctions
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Dresden
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Katja Beesdo-Baum; Professor Dr. Markus Mühlhan