Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 11, 2025

Investigating Pain-Related Avoidance Behavior using a Robotic Arm-Reaching Paradigm
Published on: October 3, 2020
Negative reinforcement rate and persistent avoidance following response-prevention extinction
Daniel V Zuj1, Weike Xia1, Keith Lloyd2
1Experimental Psychopathology Lab, Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Persistent avoidance may be influenced by prior negative reinforcement rate (i.e., how effective the response is at controlling threat). In clinical settings, the effectiveness of extinction-based methods for treating anxiety-related avoidance may be impacted by prior reinforcement rate. Here, we conducted a laboratory-based treatment study to investigate the persistence of avoidance following response-prevention extinction (RPE) when prior avoidance had been differentially effective at cancelling shock. Participants in three negative reinforcement rate groups (100%, 50%, and 0%) completed a validated avoidance conditioning paradigm involving Pavlovian fear extinction, RPE, and re-extinction phases. It was hypothesised that partially reinforced avoidance would lead to diminished resistance to fear extinction following response prevention, compared to continuously- or never-reinforced avoidance. Persistent avoidance was related to prior negative reinforcement rate, with higher rates more resistant to extinction. These findings illustrate the role of reinforcement rate in the persistence of avoidance and may aid understanding of treatment relapse.
Related Concept Videos
Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction
Generalization occurs when a behavior reinforced in one context is performed in similar situations. For instance, a student who studies diligently for calculus and receives excellent grades might apply the same study habits to psychology and history, expecting similar results. Generalization shows how learning in one setting can influence behavior in...
Avoidance Learning and Learned Helplessness
Avoidance learning occurs when an organism learns that a specific behavior can prevent an unpleasant outcome. For example, a student who receives a bad grade may start studying harder to avoid future poor grades. This behavior persists even when the negative outcome is no longer present. Avoidance learning is powerful because it maintains behavior in the absence of the...
Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
Principles of Classical Conditioning
During the...
Instinctive Drift
Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the presentation of a rewarding stimulus, increasing the frequency of that behavior. For example:

