The spelling of "conditioned emotion" is quite simple once broken down phonetically. The first word, "conditioned," is pronounced /kənˈdɪʃənd/, with the primary stress on the second syllable. The second word, "emotion," is pronounced /ɪˈmoʊʃən/, with the primary stress on the first syllable. Together, the phrase is pronounced as /kənˈdɪʃənd ɪˈmoʊʃən/. "Conditioned emotion" refers to an emotion that has been learned or conditioned through experiences, rather than being innate.
Conditioned emotion refers to an emotional response that is learned and established through a process of conditioning, which is the association of a previously neutral stimulus with a specific emotional experience. This type of emotional conditioning is mostly observed in humans and animals and is based on the principles of classical or Pavlovian conditioning.
In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus, also known as the conditioned stimulus (CS), is frequently paired with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that naturally triggers an emotional response, known as the unconditioned response (UCR). Over time and repeated pairings, the previously neutral stimulus becomes capable of eliciting the same emotional response as the unconditioned stimulus, even in the absence of the actual stimulus. This newly acquired emotional response is known as a conditioned response (CR).
Conditioned emotions can range from fear, joy, or pleasure, and can be observed in a variety of contexts. For instance, a person might develop a conditioned fear response to dogs after being bitten by one in the past. Consequently, being near dogs or even hearing a dog bark may evoke fear or anxiety. This emotional conditioning is a result of the person associating the neutral stimulus (dogs) with the traumatic event (UCS) in their past.
Overall, conditioned emotions are a key aspect of learning and can significantly impact an individual's behavior and psychological well-being. They demonstrate the brain's ability to form connections between a neutral stimulus and an emotional response, paving the way for various emotional reactions to specific situations or stimuli.
The term "conditioned emotion" does not have a specific etymology of its own. Instead, it is a combination of two concepts - "conditioning" and "emotion" - each with its own etymology.
1. Conditioning: This refers to the process of training or adapting an individual's behavior through established patterns of stimulus-response association. It stems from the verb "condition", which dates back to the 16th century and is derived from the Latin word "conditio" meaning "arrangement" or "agreement". In this context, the word emphasizes the way in which behavior becomes influenced or modified by external factors.
2. Emotion: This term, dating to the mid-16th century, originates from the Latin word "emotio" meaning "disturbance", "excitement", or "agitation".