Conditioning: Definition, Types, & PsychologyBy Beth Birenbaum, MPH
Whether we’re aware of it or not, conditioning is all around us—and we’re affected by it every day. Read on to learn more.
navigate our lives. From the earliest stages of human development to the complexities of adult behavior, conditioning plays a key role in molding our responses to our environment.
In this article, we’ll learn about the science of conditioning, exploring its various forms and mechanisms as well as the profound influence it exerts on the human psyche. Before reading on, if you're a therapist, coach, or wellness entrepreneur, be sure to grab our free Wellness Business Growth eBook to get expert tips and free resources that will help you grow your business exponentially.
What Is Conditioning? (A Definition)In behavioral psychology, conditioning is a fundamental learning process where certain experiences or stimuli make actions more or less likely (American Psychological Association, 2018). It’s the process in which behaviors are learned and modified based on associations with stimuli in the environment. There are two primary types of conditioning: classical conditioning and operant conditioning. We’ll explore these a little later.
Why Is Conditioning Important?Conditioning is important because it has so much influence on our personality and behaviors. It can be found just about everywhere, subtly molding our responses, preferences, and choices.
Types of ConditioningThere are several types of conditioning, with classical conditioning and operant conditioning being the most well known.
Conditioning and Ivan PavlovIvan Pavlov was a Russian physiologist who is best known for his work on classical conditioning. His most famous experiment involved pairing a neutral stimulus (the sound of a bell) with an unconditioned stimulus (food) that naturally elicited a response (salivation) in his dogs. After Pavlov repeatedly paired the bell with food, the dogs eventually began to salivate in response to the bell alone, even when no food was presented. This is because the dogs had learned to associate the bell with food.
Pavlov's work laid the foundation for behaviorism, a school of psychology that focuses on observable behavior and emphasizes the role of the environment in shaping behavior. His research on classical conditioning has had a profound impact on psychology, education, and therapy. The principles of conditioning are widely used in understanding and modifying behavior in both animals and humans. Classical ConditioningLet’s explore some more about how classical conditioning works. As mentioned above, in classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus (one that initially does not evoke a response) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (a stimulus that naturally triggers a response). Over time, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus that, on its own, elicits a conditioned response similar to the response triggered by the unconditioned stimulus (Rehman et al., 2023).
In other words, by consistently pairing one thing that doesn’t cause a response with a second that does cause a response, eventually the first thing will cause the same response. The classical conditioning process typically involves the following elements:
We can see this happening in our everyday lives as well. Ever notice a tinge of excitement or anticipation when your phone dings with a text message? There’s no reason the sound itself would cause that. The emotional response comes because the sound has been repetitively paired with receiving a text. You might even feel that hint of excitement when someone else’s phone dings. Operant ConditioningOperant conditioning is the process where behavior changes depending on the consequences of the behavior. For example, if a behavior is rewarded (positively reinforced), the likelihood of it being repeated increases. And if it’s punished, the likelihood of it being repeated decreases. You might also see it referred to as instrumental conditioning or operant learning.
Here's a breakdown of the key elements (Mandriota, 2021):
Video: The Difference Between Classical and Operant ConditioningExamples of ConditioningHere are some real-world examples of conditioning:
Conditioning and ExtinctionExtinction in conditioning refers to the gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a learned behavior that is no longer reinforced (Mandriota, 2021). This means that a conditioned response that was previously elicited by a conditioned stimulus ceases to occur when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus.
Extinction in Classical Conditioning In classical conditioning, extinction occurs when the conditioned stimulus is presented repeatedly without being followed by the unconditioned stimulus. Over time, the conditioned response will gradually weaken and eventually disappear. For example, Pavlov's famous experiment with dogs also showed how extinction works. In this experiment, Pavlov paired the sound of a bell with food, which caused the dogs to salivate. After repeatedly presenting the bell without food, the dogs eventually stopped salivating in response to the bell. Extinction in Operant Conditioning In operant conditioning, extinction occurs when a previously reinforced behavior is no longer followed by reinforcement. This means that the behavior is no longer rewarded, and as a result, the behavior will gradually decrease in frequency and eventually disappear. For example, a child who throws a tantrum to get attention from their parents is exhibiting operant behavior. If the parents stop giving the child attention when they throw a tantrum, the child will eventually stop throwing tantrums because they are no longer getting the desired outcome—hopefully! Conditioning in AdvertisingConditioning is used frequently in advertising and marketing. It’s a very effective technique to influence our buying behavior (Schachtman et al., 2011). Let’s look at a few examples.
Classical conditioning is often used to link positive emotions or qualities to a brand or product by pairing them with unrelated but positive stimuli. For example, Coke frequently associates its brand with happiness, family, and festive seasons through imagery and music. This evokes positive emotions, making consumers more likely to purchase Coke. Or you’ve probably noticed how companies use popular songs in their ads. Studies show that hearing music you like (or dislike) while being exposed to a product can directly affect product preferences (Gorn, 1982). This is because the product (the unconditioned stimulus) is being paired with the music (the conditioned stimulus). We can see operant conditioning in advertising with tactics like the buy-one-get-one-free deal. The behavior of buying the product is positively reinforced with the freebie. Reward programs are another great example. Repeat customers are rewarded with points or discounts to incentivize continued purchases. I can think of instances where I purposely bought something from a particular store because I wanted the points. A company might use the operant conditioning principle of negative reinforcement, which is where behavior is strengthened by removing something unpleasant. An example of this is highlighting the potential negative consequences of not using a product or service, motivating us to take a specific action (buying the product or service) to avoid those consequences. Famous Conditioning ExperimentsIn addition to Pavlov’s dogs, there are several other famous experiments that show the power of conditioning.
Articles Related to ConditioningWant to learn more? Check out these articles:
Books Related to ConditioningIf you’d like to keep learning more, here are a few books that you might be interested in.
Final Thoughts on ConditioningConditioning, whether intentional or not, plays a significant role in shaping our behaviors, preferences, and even beliefs. From marketing campaigns to our social media feed, we’re constantly learning to associate stimuli with specific responses. While this process can be harnessed for positive reinforcement and habit formation, it's important to be aware of its potential influence. By understanding the mechanisms of conditioning, we can become more conscious of the external factors shaping our choices and ultimately exert greater control over our responses. This awareness empowers us to make informed decisions, fostering a sense of agency and responsibility in a world filled with subtle and not-so-subtle conditioning cues.
References
|
|