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approach–avoidance conflict

a situation involving a single goal or option that has both desirable and undesirable aspects or consequences. The closer an individual comes to the goal, the greater the anxiety, but withdrawal from the goal then increases the desire. See also approach–approach conflict; avoidance–avoidance conflict; double approach–avoidance conflict.

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Psychology term of the day

November 17th 2024

cognitive conditioning

cognitive conditioning

a process in which a stimulus is repeatedly paired with an imagined or anticipated response or behavior. Cognitive conditioning has been used as a therapeutic technique, in which case the stimulus is typically aversive. For example, the client imagines that he or she is smoking a cigarette and gives himself or herself a pinch; the procedure is repeated until the thought produces the effect of discouraging the behavior. See also cognitive rehearsal.