counterconditioning

[koun-ter-kuhn-dish-uh-ning]

noun

Psychology.

1. the extinction of an undesirable response to a stimulus through the introduction of a more desirable, often incompatible, response.

counterconditioning

/ ˌkaʊntəkənˈdɪʃənɪŋ /

noun

1. psychol the conditioning of a response that is incompatible with some previously learned response; for example, in psychotherapy an anxious person might be taught relaxation, which is incompatible with anxiety

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterconditioning¹

First recorded in 1960–65; counter- + conditioning

Example Sentences

If you identify the trigger, a program of counterconditioning helps the dog approach the feared object.

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If he could live through it, countermeasures could be taken, counterconditioning could be set up.

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