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Aversion Conditioning

Definition

Aversion conditioning is a method used in behavior therapy to reduce the frequency of undesirable behaviors by associating them with an unpleasant stimulus.

Analogy

Think of aversion conditioning like a hot stove. If you touch the hot stove and get burned, you'll associate touching the stove with pain and will be less likely to do it again. This is similar to how aversion conditioning works - it pairs an unwanted behavior (like smoking) with an unpleasant response (like nausea), making you less likely to engage in that behavior.

Related terms

Classical Conditioning: This is a learning process where two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that was initially elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.

Operant Conditioning: This refers to a type of learning where behavior is controlled by consequences. Key concepts in operant conditioning are positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment and negative punishment.

Behavior Therapy: This involves techniques based on learning principles to change maladaptive behaviors. It's often used for conditions like anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).