In this program we explore the relation between fear and visual processing. In particular, we investigate the effects of threat induced freezing on visual perception as reflected in behavioral and neural processes. Previous work showed that threat induces preferred processing of course visual features (low spatial frequency LSF information). In a first study (Lojowska et al., 2016) we replicated this effect and showed that under threat of a mild electric shock, increased sensitivity to LSF information goes at the expense of detailed or high spatial frequency (HSF) processing. In addition, this shift towards preferred LSF processing was related to parasympathetic activity and not to sympathetic activity during freezing. Maria Lojowska is currently investigating the neural correlates of these effects using fMRI in collaboration with Erno Hermans and Sam Ling (Boston university).