The Tap-to-Safety Task: A Novel fMRI Paradigm Assessing Repetitive Threat-Neutralization.

ABSTRACT: Existing experimental threat-related paradigms focus primarily on active or passive avoidance behavior, but do not model the common behavioral pattern of repetitive, effortful actions aimed at neutralizing perceived threats. Here, we describe and provide initial validation for the Tap-to-Safety (TTS) Task, a novel human paradigm designed to experimentally elicit repetitive threat-neutralization behavior during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Adult participants completed the TTS Task; one sample completed the task online and an additional sample completed the task in person, with a subsample completing fMRI. Task stimuli included a threat cue (CS+) paired with an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US), safety cues (CS-) never paired with the US, and safe generalization stimuli (

SUBMITTER: Berg H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12907521 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature