3 ms·
As opposed to creating one stimulus-response association, correcting a wrong association would involve two (or more processes). One, reinforcing the correct ass
by whacked_new 19y ago
As opposed to creating one stimulus-response association, correcting a wrong association would involve two (or more processes). One, reinforcing the correct association; two, not enforcing (or inhibiting) the wrong association.
Reinforcing the right one can be spaced, but breaking the habit is harder. One study involving OCD patients achieved this via a staged process. I forgot the details, but essentially, you train yourself to use your bad habit as a cue for another behavior, which diverts yourself from the result of your bad habit. Something like, if I wanted to stop washing my hands obsessively, I would put a message on the faucet that said "take a walk!" Then, every time I get the urge, I would take a walk, etc. It's obviously not this simple, but that should illustrate how reshaping old behavior is different from creating new ones.