Generalization of conditioned fear in humans: Transitioning from episodic to semantic memory

Overgeneralization of anxiety is a potential etiological factor contributing to anxiety disorders. Based on perceptual and conceptual generalizations of fear memory, previous research has initiated investigations into the involvement of explicit memory in human fear generalization. However, the precise relationship between episodic and semantic memory in fear generalization remains unclear. Based on the theoretical framework of "multiple trace theory" in memory and using the experimental paradigm of fear generalization from episodic memory, this study aimed to investigate the potential of human fear generalization from episodic to semantic memory. The results showed that conditioned fear can be generalized from episodic to semantic memory and that this generalization has a categorical effect. The results of this study are of great importance for elucidating the mechanism underlying human fear generalization and for exploring more effective measures of emotional intervention.