Is perceptual defense a result of learning of avoiding fear

Owing to the contribution of recent studies on perception, it is the common understanding of psychologists that perception is not only the function of sensorial mechanisms, but also the functions of motivation, memory and emotion. Several investigators have reported higher thresholds of perceptual recognition for negatively valued or taboo materials than for neutral or positively valued materials(8,5,6,9,13,15,16,20,24). Bruner and Postman(3,16) first considered the principle of perceptual defense in explanation of high thresholds for negatively valued and emotionally charged words. But Postman, Bronson and Gropper(19) could not agree the original formulation of the principle of perceptual defense because (a) it did not specify the mechanism producing the raised thre8holds and (b) it failed to consider explanation of the observed facts in terms of more general determinants of perceptual recognition. Postman(17) suggested that apparently defensive thresholds might be due to the competition of alternative recognition responses. Interference by competing responses is, of course, a general principle not restricted to emotionally charged materials.