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A conceptual and theoretical analysis of evaluative conditioning
1Ghent University, Belgium. Jan.DeHouwer@UGent.be
The Spanish Journal of Psychology
|November 13, 2007
Summary
Evaluative conditioning, a change in stimulus valence from pairing, can result from multiple processes. Understanding these underlying mechanisms is key to resolving conflicting research findings on conditioning conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Learning and Memory
Background:
- Evaluative conditioning involves changes in stimulus valence due to stimulus pairings.
- Existing research presents conflicting results regarding the conditions influencing evaluative conditioning.
- A clear definition is needed to reconcile these discrepancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define evaluative conditioning as an effect: a change in valence.
- To highlight that multiple underlying processes can cause this effect.
- To propose a framework for understanding conflicting research findings.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of evaluative conditioning.
- Review of existing literature on conditioning parameters.
- Theoretical integration of multiple conditioning processes.
Main Results:
- Evaluative conditioning is defined as a change in stimulus valence.
- This effect can arise from various distinct psychological processes.
- The specific process underlying conditioning influences observed results.
Conclusions:
- The proposed definition clarifies the nature of evaluative conditioning.
- Acknowledging multiple processes explains variability in research findings.
- Future research should adopt a meta-conditional approach to investigate when conditions are crucial.
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