BLUF
Fear memories are not erased, but overridden through extinction learning, where the brain actively generates new safety signals—especially via the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex—highlighting the need to build flexible, context-independent safety memories.Learning Outcomes:
- Explain the neural mechanisms underpinning fear extinction, including the role of the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex.
- Assess why extinction learning is context-dependent and its implications for relapse in anxiety therapy.
- Evaluate therapeutic strategies that enhance generalisation of safety memories across settings to reduce fear recurrence.
