Conditioning refers to the learning process by which an individual acquires a new behavior through the association of a particular stimulus with a particular consequence. This article will explore the basics of conditioning and its effects on behavior.
Conditioning is the process by which an individual acquires a new behavior through the association of a particular stimulus with a particular consequence. The classical example of conditioning is the Skinner box in which a rat learns to press a lever to receive a food reward. The behavior of pressing the lever is initially prompted by the presentation of the food pellet, but the rat soon learns that pressing the lever is also associated with receiving the food reward. This association is called conditioning, and it is this process that underlies Skinner’s theory of behaviorism.
The effects of conditioning can be quite powerful. For example, Pavlov’s dogs learned to salivate in response to the sound of a bell, even though the sound of the bell was not actually associated with food. This is because the dogs had learned to associate the sound of the bell with the experience of being fed, so the sound of the bell now served as a conditioned stimulus. Similarly, people learn to associate certain words or images with particular feelings or emotions. For example, a person might become anxious in response to the sound of a loud noise, even if she has never experienced anxiety before. The sound of the noise has been conditioned as a stimulus that is associated with anxiety.
Conditioning is a powerful tool that can be used to influence the behavior of individuals. For example, conditioning can be used to encourage a person to exercise, eat healthy foods, or avoid risky behaviors. Conditioning is also used to treat addiction, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
