What characterizes escape conditioning?

Escape conditioning is characterized by the process in which an individual learns to perform a specific behavior to remove or avoid an aversive stimulus. In this context, experiencing relief after leaving an aversive situation exemplifies how escape conditioning works. When a person finds themselves in an unpleasant situation, such as a loud noise or an uncomfortable environment, and they take action to leave or remove themselves from that situation, they often experience a sense of relief.

This immediate relief reinforces the behavior of avoiding the aversive stimulus in the future, solidifying the learning process. The reduction of discomfort acts as a positive reinforcer for the behavior of escaping. This is a key aspect of escape conditioning, as the focus lies on the removal of the negative stimulus and the consequent feeling of relief that follows the escape behavior.