The thrill for a chronic heroin abuser to insert a needle with an empty syringe into the skin is an example of __________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The thrill experienced by a chronic heroin abuser while inserting a needle with an empty syringe into the skin is an example of conditioned learning. The individual has associated the act of injecting a needle with the pleasurable experience of getting high, which has conditioned them to seek out and experience the thrill of needle insertion regardless of whether or not there is any heroin or other drug present in the syringe. This is a classic example of classical conditioning, in which an individual learns to associate a previously neutral stimulus (the needle) with a pleasurable or aversive experience (the high or withdrawal symptoms), leading to a conditioned response (the thrill or relief experienced by inserting the needle).

The Thrill for a Chronic Heroin Abuser to Insert a Needle