Trait anxiety is associated with reduced typicality asymmetry in fear generalization

In fear conditioning, training with typical category exemplars has been shown to promote fear generalization to novel exemplars of the same category, whereas training with atypical category exemplars supports limited if any generalization to other category members, amounting to a typicality asymmetry in fear generalization. The present study sought to examine how trait anxiety bears on typicality asymmetry in fear generalization. Participants in one condition were presented with typical exemplars during fear acquisition and atypical exemplars of the same category in the subsequent generalization test (typical condition), whereas in the other group, atypical and typical exemplars were presented during fear acquisition and generalization test, respectively (atypical condition). We observed a typicality asymmetry in fear generalization in self-reported expectancy ratings in low trait anxious individuals only. High trait anxious individuals showed a similar degree of fear generalization in both conditions. The current results help illuminate why some individuals are at risk for exhibiting broad fear generalization after exposure to an aversive event. •This study replicated a typicality asymmetry effect in fear generalization.•Typicality asymmetry in fear generalization was attenuated in high trait anxious individuals due to high threat ambiguity.•High trait anxious individuals are more likely to exhibit overgeneralization of fear after an atypical trauma exposure.