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.

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Psychology term of the day

May 10th 2024

battle of the experts

a scenario in which expert witnesses from opposing sides of a legal dispute disagree over an issue that has to be decided to resolve the dispute. Such contradictory testimony is often of little help to the judge or jury in reaching a decision in the case.