Avoidance learning Flashcards
5 (16 cards)
What is negative reinforcement?
A response removes or prevents an aversive outcome, increasing the likelihood of that response.
What is escape learning?
A behaviour terminates an ongoing aversive event (e.g., jumping away from a shock).
What is avoidance learning?
A behaviour prevents an aversive event from occurring (e.g., jumping before the shock starts).
What is the paradox of avoidance?
Avoidance is reinforced even though the aversive event never occurs—how can “nothing” be rewarding?
What is the two-process theory of avoidance?
- Classical Conditioning: Warning signal (WS) becomes associated with fear.
- Instrumental Learning: Avoidance reduces fear, which acts as a negative reinforcer.
What are safety signals in avoidance learning?
Cues that indicate a period of safety, such as the offset of the WS or being in a safe location.
How do safety signals affect avoidance behaviour?
They can maintain avoidance even when overt fear is low and protect WS from extinction.
What is superstitious avoidance?
Rituals or behaviours that are mistakenly believed to prevent aversive outcomes, often reinforced by coincidence.
Why is superstitious avoidance hard to extinguish?
The ritual prevents exposure to the WS without the aversive outcome, protecting the fear association.
What is flooding in avoidance treatment?
Forced exposure to the WS without allowing avoidance, leading to extinction of fear.
What is systematic desensitisation?
Gradual exposure to fear-inducing stimuli, starting with least fearful and progressing to most.
What are challenges in exposure therapy?
Context-specific extinction, spontaneous recovery, and the therapist acting as a safety signal.
What is the fear-avoidance model in chronic pain?
Avoidance of movement due to fear of pain can hinder recovery; safety behaviours may reinforce disability.
How should safety behaviours be assessed in chronic pain?
Functional assessment is needed to distinguish between rational aids and maladaptive avoidance.
How is avoidance used in public health campaigns?
Campaigns use fear appeals to encourage preventive behaviours (e.g., safe sex, reduced smoking).
What makes fear appeals effective?
They must convey both the severity of the threat and the likelihood of personal risk.
