Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer in subclinical obsessive–compulsive disorder

Abstract

Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) refers to the effect of stimuli that have been associated with a pleasant or aversive event on instrumental behaviors. Given that obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is linked to excessive compulsions, which in the laboratory can be tested via testing instrumental responses, we assessed PIT effects in individuals with subclinical levels of OCD. Participants from a nonclinical population were separated in groups with low (OC−) and high (OC+) levels of OCD. Participants learned to associate one button press (R1) with the cancellation of an aversive outcome (O1) and another button press (R2) with the cancellation of another aversive outcome (O2). Subsequently, they watched stimuli of five different colors (S1–S5) that were followed by O1, O2, a novel negative outcome (O3: video of a house on fire), or two neutral outcomes (O4: plus sign; O5: caret symbol), respectively. In the last phase, participants saw S1–S5 while they were allowed to press the R1 or the R2 button. Contrary to predictions, the OC− compared to OC+ group showed somewhat stronger specific PIT effects, indicated by more R1 and R2 responses during the presentation of the S1 and S2, respectively. No reliable evidence was found for general PIT.