Escape and Avoidance Conditioning

[Ready for Fall 2026]

Modified: 2026-08-03 11:11 AM CDST

• Escape conditioning is a form of aversive conditioning.
  • The word aversive refers to stimuli that are avoided.
  • Generally, those stimuli are unpleasant or painful.
  • Escape conditioning occurs when an aversive stimulus is presented and an animal responds by leaving the stimulus situation.

• In the lab, escape conditioning can be demonstrated with a shuttle box.
• A shuttle box is an enclosure with two sections separated by a partition.
• For example, a dog shuttle box might have a low barrier separating the two halves.
  • To demonstrate escape conditioning all that is necessary is to shock the dog's feet.
  • The dog then jumps to the other side of the box.
  • Then, after a time, the dog is shocked again.
  • It then jumps over the barrier again, escaping the shock.
• Someone who finds school aversive may escape that situation.
  • Most states require attendance until age 16.
  • However, once students turn 16 they no longer must attend. So, some drop out at that point.
  • Dropping out is a form of escape conditioning.
• Avoidance conditioning is similar to escape conditioning.
  • The difference is that a CS is given before the presentation of an aversive stimulus.
  • For example, a light may precede the shock by a few seconds.
  • What does the animal do under this new setup?
  • At first, its behavior is no different than it was for escape conditioning.
  • Namely, it jumps the barrier when the shock is delivered.
  • Soon, however, it begins to jump before the shock.
  • It jumps when the light comes on and thus avoids the shock.
  • Also, unlike escape conditioning, the animal settles down emotionally.
  • Dogs quit yelping, and calmly jump to the other side when the CS comes on.
• Now, think what would happen if the CS were left on, but the shock discontinued.
• The animal continues to jump every time the light comes on.
• The animal will not test whether or not the shock is still on.
• Therefore, avoidance conditioning is highly resistant to extinction.
• You can get extinction if you restrain the animal after the light comes on, but it will struggle and show emotional arousal. After a number trials under restraint, the animal will extinguish.
• Much of human behavior is explained via avoidance conditioning.
• Think of going to the dentist, for example.
  • Most of us avoid going until the pain is already unbearable.
• Another good example is when we have to get an injection.
  • We learned long ago to avoid the person and the place where injections are given.
  • Our children quickly learned that going into the back room at the local clinic was a CS for an immunization injection, and they began to cry as soon as they entered that room, well before actually getting the injection.