What is Avoidance Learning in Psychology? Definition and Examples

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🧠 Avoidance learning is a type of learning where an individual learns to perform a behavior to prevent an unpleasant or aversive stimulus from occurring.
• ⚠️ It is a form of negative reinforcement, as the behavior removes the possibility of the negative stimulus.
• 🐕‍🦺 Avoidance learning often involves two phases: classical conditioning (fear acquisition) and operant conditioning (avoidance behavior).
• 🧪 Experiments often use cues to signal the potential aversive stimulus, allowing the subject to learn to avoid the situation when the cue is present.
• 💡 Key difference from escape learning: In avoidance learning, the aversive stimulus *hasn't* started yet. In escape learning, it *has*.
• 📈 Avoidance behaviors can be very resistant to extinction, as the individual rarely experiences the aversive stimulus once the avoidance behavior is established.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following best defines avoidance learning?
   1. A) Learning to perform a behavior to escape an ongoing aversive stimulus.
   2. B) Learning to perform a behavior to prevent an aversive stimulus from occurring.
   3. C) Learning to ignore aversive stimuli.
   4. D) Learning to approach a pleasant stimulus.


2. Avoidance learning is a form of:
   1. A) Positive punishment
   2. B) Negative punishment
   3. C) Positive reinforcement
   4. D) Negative reinforcement


3. In the context of avoidance learning, what is the role of classical conditioning?
   1. A) To learn the specific motor skills needed for avoidance.
   2. B) To acquire the fear response associated with a particular cue.
   3. C) To strengthen the avoidance behavior through repetition.
   4. D) To weaken the association between the cue and the aversive stimulus.


4. What is a key difference between avoidance learning and escape learning?
   1. A) Avoidance learning involves positive reinforcement, while escape learning involves negative reinforcement.
   2. B) In avoidance learning, the aversive stimulus is already present, while in escape learning, it is not.
   3. C) In avoidance learning, the aversive stimulus is not yet present, while in escape learning, it is.
   4. D) There is no significant difference between the two.


5. Why can avoidance behaviors be difficult to extinguish?
   1. A) Because the individual is constantly exposed to the aversive stimulus.
   2. B) Because the individual rarely experiences the aversive stimulus once the avoidance behavior is established.
   3. C) Because the avoidance behavior is intrinsically rewarding.
   4. D) Because the individual has forgotten the original association with the aversive stimulus.


6. Which of the following is an example of avoidance learning?
   1. A) A rat pressing a lever to receive food.
   2. B) A child touching a hot stove and then quickly removing their hand.
   3. C) A student studying hard to avoid failing an exam.
   4. D) A dog sitting when told to in order to receive a treat.


7. What is the primary function of a cue in avoidance learning?
   1. A) To provide positive reinforcement for the avoidance behavior.
   2. B) To signal the absence of the aversive stimulus.
   3. C) To signal the potential occurrence of the aversive stimulus.
   4. D) To directly trigger the avoidance behavior.