Michael Scoles writes: Not everyone would agree with Paul's distinction. Some would say that "avoidance" is actually escape, but escape from an unpleasant motivational state acquired through experience with an aversive stimulus. This gets around the messy situation of having the *absence* of a *future* event controlling current behavior.
Except that there is no objective evidence of an aversive motivational state being active with a well-learned avoidance behavior. If a feared stimulus is repeatedly presented with no aversive outcome, extinction ensues. Objective fear markers, such as behavioral suppression, dissipate with the learning of an effective avoidance response. So the question would be, "what maintains a well-learned avoidance response?" Rick Dr. Rick Froman Associate Professor of Psychology John Brown University 2000 W. University Siloam Springs, AR 72761 [EMAIL PROTECTED] (479) 524-7295 http://www.jbu.edu/academics/sbs/rfroman.asp --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
