Rule-based generalization of threat without similarity

• Novel paradigm investigating rule-based threat generalization. Behavioral responses show successful conditioning and Evidence for abstract generalization without perceptual similarity. Flexible to investigate conceptual Threat novel instances is central adaptive behavior. Most previous work has investigated based on the similarity between past stimuli. Few studies have explored abstract, non-perceptual relations despite their importance cognitive flexibility. In order measure such of similarity, we developed a that prevents features from gaining predictive value. Our results demonstrate participants responded according correct rule used it successfully generalize anticipatory behavioral (expectancy ratings, sudomotor nerve activity, heart rate responses). further flexibly adapted an unsignaled mid-session contingency reversal. We interpret our in context other tasks argue variations make possible wide range investigations into aspects