What is the Difference Between Escape Conditioning and Avoidance Conditioning

The main difference between escape conditioning and avoidance conditioning is that in escape conditioning, there is no warning signal before the aversive stimulus, while in avoidance conditioning, there is a warning signal before the aversive stimulus.

Escape conditioning and avoidance conditioning are two forms of negative reinforcement. Both of these result in an increase in the behaviour that stopped or avoided the aversive stimulus.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Escape Conditioning 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Avoidance Conditioning
     – Definition, Features
3. What is the Difference Between Escape Conditioning and Avoidance Conditioning
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Escape Conditioning, Avoidance Conditioning, Negative Reinforcement

What is Escape Conditioning

Escape conditioning is a type of conditioning where an organism learns to avoid an aversive stimulus. In other words, the organism acquires a response that results in the termination of an aversive stimulus. Aversive stimulus here refers to stimuli that are unpleasant or painful. Escape conditioning occurs when an aversive stimulus is presented, and the organism responds by leaving the stimulus situation.

In a lab, a shuttle box can be used to demonstrate escape conditioning. A shuttle box is a box or an enclosure with two sections, separated by a partition an animal can cross. For example, if a shock is applied to the feet of a dog in a shuttle box, the dog would jump to the other section of the box. Similarly, if the scientist applies the shock again, then the dog would jump to the next section again to escape the shock. Here, electric shock is the aversive stimulus. Therefore, the dog’s response to avoid the aversive stimulus reflects escape conditioning.

We can also apply this concept of escape conditioning to real-life situations. For example, students who find school unpleasant or aversive may drop out of school. This is an example of escape conditioning.

What is Avoidance Conditioning 

Avoidance conditioning is a classical conditioning process where an organism is taught to avoid aversive stimuli as part of a two-part process. In other words, there are two stimuli in this conditioning: a neutral stimulus and an aversive stimulus. The neutral stimulus follows the aversive stimulus, and the subject learns to avoid the aversive stimulus by responding to the neutral stimulus.

For example, imagine there is a buzzer sound before applying a shock to the subject. The subject associates the buzzer with the shock and will perform the action required as soon as it hears the buzzer in order to avoid the punishment. For example, if we are training a dog to jump over a fence using this method, the dog will jump over the fence as soon as it hears the buzzer to avoid the shock.

Relationship Between Escape Conditioning and Avoidance Conditioning

• An escape conditioning turns into an avoidance conditioning when a warning signal or a neutral stimulus follows the aversive stimulus.

Difference Between Escape Conditioning and Avoidance Conditioning

Definition

Escape conditioning is a type of conditioning where a subject learns to avoid an aversive stimulus while avoidance conditioning is a type of conditioning where the subject is conditioned to respond to an anticipated unpleasant event by avoiding the aversive stimulus every time the cue or warning signal is perceived.

Warning Signal or Neutral Stimulus

In escape conditioning, there is no warning signal before the aversive stimulus, but in avoidance conditioning, there is a warning signal before the aversive stimulus.

Conclusion

In conclusion, escape conditioning and avoidance conditioning are two forms of negative reinforcement. The main difference between escape conditioning and avoidance conditioning is that in escape conditioning, there is no warning signal before the aversive stimulus, while in avoidance conditioning, there is a warning signal before the aversive stimulus.

Reference:

1. “Escape Conditioning – Definition and Examples – Biology Online Dictionary.” Biology Articles, Tutorials & Dictionary Online, 2 Oct. 2020, Available here.
2. “Escape and Avoidance Conditioning.” Southern Arkansas University – Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University – Magnolia, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Operant conditioning diagram rev” By Box73 (recreated and converted to svg) and Curtis Neveu (source) – This file is a recreation of a diagram at (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia