In a conditioned emotional response (CER) study, a tone is paired with a foot shock for a rat. After several trials, the tone alone is a CS that can elicit fear emotional responses. Which of the following is true of the physiology of this fear response?
A) Damage to the lateral nucleus of the amygdala impairs CER learning.
B) Tone-shock pairings rapidly decrease the electrical activity of the lateral nucleus of the amygdala.
C) Damage to the central nucleus of the prefrontal cortex impairs CER learning.
D) Inactivation of the ventral nucleus of the amygdala during CER training blocked the formation of the CER.
E) Damage to the amygdala facilitates emotional responding.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lateral nucleus of the amygdala is crucial for the acquisition, storage, and expression of conditioned fear responses. Damage to this area impairs the ability to learn and express fear responses to conditioned stimuli, such as a tone that has been paired with a foot shock.

In a Conditioned Emotional Response (CER) Study, a Tone Is