Devon heard a noise and went to investigate. He was afraid that someone was breaking into his house. When his cat jumped out from the shadows, Devon yelled. But Devon's cat is always showing up suddenly and it usually doesn't bother him. What concept from your text best explains Devon's increased tendency to be startled?
A) facial feedback hypothesis
B) misattribution of arousal
C) fear-potentiated startle
D) reactive arousal startle

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Fear-potentiated startle refers to an increased startle response in the presence of a feared stimulus or in a fearful context. In this scenario, Devon was afraid that someone was breaking into his house, which created a fearful context and increased his tendency to be startled even by his cat jumping out suddenly.

Devon Heard a Noise and Went to Investigate