Deficient safety learning characterizes high trait anxious individuals

► We tested fear acquisition and (re-)extinction in high trait anxious individuals. ► Trait anxious individuals showed elevated startle and distress to innocuous stimuli. ► Trait anxiety strongly influenced the affective fear responses across phases. ► Trait anxiety had limited effects on UCS expectancy and skin conductance responding. ► Deficient safety learning may explain the pathogenic role of high trait anxiety.