Conditioning
Conditioning is the learning process in which stimuli, responses, and consequences form associations that influence behavior.
Definition
Conditioning may be classical, when a stimulus begins to produce a response after being associated with another stimulus, or operant, when consequences strengthen or weaken the behavior. Conditioning creates habits, fear reactions, preferences, avoidance and automatic responses to situations.
Key ideas
- Stimulus and response
- Consequences
- Learning by association
Practice and life
For an unwanted pattern, write down: what triggers it, what you do and what relief or reward you get after the reaction.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to treat conditioning as proof that humans have no influence. It is also a mistake to ignore the environment that constantly reinforces the behavior.
> The body learns connections faster than consciousness can name them.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What trigger triggers my pattern?
- What is the reward or relief?
- How can I change the consequence or context?