Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

Appetitive Associative Olfactory Learning in Drosophila Larvae
Published on: February 18, 2013
Associative learning of likes and dislikes: Some current controversies and possible ways forward
Frank Baeyens1, Andy P Field, Jan De Houwer
1a Ghent University , Belgium.
Abstract:
Evaluative conditioning (EC) is one of the terms that is used to refer to associatively induced changes in liking. Many controversies have arisen in the literature on EC. Do associatively induced changes in liking actually exist? Does EC depend on awareness of the fact that stimuli are associated? Is EC resistant to extinction? Does attention help or hinder EC? As an introduction to this special issue, we will discuss the extent to which the papers that are published in this issue help to resolve some of the controversies that surround EC. We also speculate about possible boundary conditions of EC and attempt to reconcile conflicting results on the functional properties of EC.
Related Concept Videos
Associative Learning
Classical conditioning, also known...
Causes of Similarity-Dissimilarity Effect
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Cognitive Learning
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
Behaviorism
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...

