Pavlovian Conditioning and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Siegel, Shepard; Kreutzer, Richard D.

doi:10.2307/3433363

Cited by 15 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Other mechanisms are classical and operant conditioning and modeling (4). High arousal has been shown to facilitate both sensitization and classical conditioning (5); this finding suggests that persons with a higher reactivity to stress (ie, reacting with arousal quicker or more strongly when faced with a stressor) may be more prone to learn to associate annoyance with environmental factors. The stress response also affects the endocrine system, the vegetative nervous system, the immune system, and the biochemistry of the brain, inducing increased vigilance (6), which may facilitate the development of a cognitive bias towards somatic sensations in relation to environmental triggers, in order to be able to predict and avoid situations facing the trigger (7).…”

mentioning

confidence: 84%

Salivary cortisol and self-reported stress among persons with environmental annoyance

Carlsson¹,

Persson²,

Karlson³

et al. 2006

Scand J Work Environ Health

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mentioning

confidence: 84%

Salivary cortisol and self-reported stress among persons with environmental annoyance

Carlsson¹,

Persson²,

Karlson³

et al. 2006

Scand J Work Environ Health

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“…Additional studies focus on the role of psychologic factors. These psychologically based studies speculate that hypersensitivity to low levels of chemicals may be a somatization disorder (Black et al 1990) or a conditioned response (Siegel and Kreutzer 1997). Psychogenic theories, however, have been criticized for methodologic weaknesses, such as biased patient selection and the lack of presymptom data (Davidoff and Fogarty 1994).…”

Section: Theories Of Etiology and Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of a two-phase population study of multiple chemical sensitivities.

Caress

Steinemann

2003

Environ Health Perspect

105

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In this review we summarize the findings of a two-phase study of the prevalence, symptomatology, and etiology of multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). We also explore possible triggers, the potential linkage between MCS and other disorders, and the lifestyle alterations produced by MCS. The first phase of the study consisted of a random sampling of 1,582 individuals from the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area to determine the reported prevalence of a hypersensitivity to common chemicals. In this phase, 12.6% of the sample reported a hypersensitivity. Further questioning of individuals with a hypersensitivity indicated that 13.5% (1.8% of the entire sample) reported losing their jobs because of their hypersensitivity. The second phase was a follow-up questioning of the respondents who initially reported hypersensitivity. In this phase, we found that individuals with hypersensitivity experience a variety of symptoms and triggers. A significant percentage (27.5%) reported that their hypersensitivity was initiated by an exposure to pesticides, whereas an equal percentage (27.5%) attributed it to solvents. Only 1.4% had a history of prior emotional problems, but 37.7% developed these problems after the physical symptoms emerged. This suggests that MCS has a physiologic and not a psychologic etiology.

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“…These processes tap sensorimotor, memorial, and emotional response domains and can be long lasting (Stanton, 2000). Otherwise mysterious phenomena, such as multiple-chemical sensitivity syndromes, may be understood by applying an understanding of Pavlovian processes (Siegel & Kreutzer, 1997). Pavlovian techniques have further advantages for testing chemicals because conditioning occurs relatively quickly and can be readily applied in a wide range of organisms, including invertebrates.…”

Section: Pavlovian or Classically Conditioned Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, Pavlovian processes can enhance sensitization to a chemical or condition sensitivity to otherwise unnoticeable stimuli that can appear at random and without an individual's awareness. For these reasons, authors have noted that such conditioning processes might result in phenomena such as multiple-chemical sensitivity (Siegel & Kreutzer, 1997;Song et al, 2001;Wood & Coleman, 1995).…”

Section: Pavlovian or Classically Conditioned Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pavlovian mechanisms may underlie clinical syndromes or neurotoxic actions that would otherwise be difficult to understand, including sensitization to irritants or other chemicals, conditioned allergic responses, and flavor aversions (Siegel & Kreutzer, 1997). Sensitization that results from repeated exposures to an irritant may have Pavlovian components that may even result in conditioned allergic reactions.…”

Section: Pavlovian or Classically Conditioned Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

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Environmental health and behavior analysis: Contributions and interactions.

Newland¹

2013

APA Handbook of Behavior Analysis, Vol. 2: Translating Principles Into Practice.

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The heightened public awareness that environmental contaminants can act on the nervous system and have effects that appear in behavior presents a major challenge to behavioral scientists in all areas. They are being asked to conduct both hazard assessment (are there neurobehavioral effects of some chemical at any dose?) and risk assessment (what is the risk to a population at a specific level of exposure?) for behavioral effects that are not always well understood. The heavy metal lead provides an excellent example. Concern over lead poisoning lies in claims that it lowers scores on IQ tests, retards academic performance, and results in disruptive and even criminal behavior. The problems posed are daunting: How easy is it to detect a 5-point drop in scores on IQ tests? Can scientists predict these effects from experimental models using laboratory animals? Can they identify behavioral and neural mechanisms that account for these effects? What economic costs are incurred if the average IQ drops a few points, and how does this cost compare with that of reducing lead in the environment?These concerns are reflected in policymaking. Federal legislation and regulation of toxic substances specifically include behavior, including schedule-controlled operant behavior, as a regulatory endpoint (Tilson, 1990). The inclusion of nervous system damage in general, and its behavioral manifestations in particular, represents a sea change in public concern over unintended exposure to chemicals. Where cancer has been (and still is) a significant concern, the recognition that adverse behavioral effects follow certain types of chemical exposure is increasing. These effects carry over into a large number of domains. Environmental contaminants, even at very low exposure levels, contribute to disorders across the life span, including developmental disabilities and the hastening of age-related impairments. Behavioral scientists' understanding of how this happens not only has public policy implications but can also inform them about the behavior and neurobiology surrounding these disorders.

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Pavlovian Conditioning and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Cited by 15 publications

References 26 publications

Salivary cortisol and self-reported stress among persons with environmental annoyance

Salivary cortisol and self-reported stress among persons with environmental annoyance

A review of a two-phase population study of multiple chemical sensitivities.

Environmental health and behavior analysis: Contributions and interactions.

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