Opponent Process Theory Of Motivation

Opponent Procedure Theory Definition

Richard L. Solomon'south opponent process theory of emotions—also commonly referred to equally the opponent procedure theory of acquired motivation—contends that the primary or initial reaction to an emotional event (State A) will be followed past an opposite secondary emotional state (State B). In other words, a stimulus that initially inspires displeasure will probable be followed by a pleasurable after-feeling and vice versa. The 2d important aspect of this theory is that afterwards repeated exposure to the same emotional event, the State A reaction will begin to weaken, whereas the State B reaction will strengthen in intensity and duration. Thus, over time, the subsequently-feeling can get the prevailing emotional experience associated with a detail stimulus result. Ane example of this miracle is how, for some people, an initial unpleasant fear aroused by a good roller-coaster ride becomes, over time, an enjoyable and much sought-after feel.

Opponent Process Theory Caption

According to this theory, a principal a-procedure— directly activated past an emotional event—is followed by an opponent procedure, the secondary b-process, which gives rising to the opposite emotional state. In the first few exposures to an emotion-eliciting event, such an opponent process tin can deed to return an organism to a state of emotional homeostasis or neutrality following an intensely emotional episode. Afterward repeated exposures, notwithstanding, the State A response weakens and the

State B response strengthens. Because these states change over time, the later caused effects are often referred to equally States A' and B' to indicate change over time. Thus, an initially positive emotional feel (due east.grand., love or interpersonal stimulation or drug use) can eventually give ascension to a prevailing negative emotional feel (e.thousand., grief or withdrawal), whereas an initially negative emotional feel (e.g., giving blood or parachuting) can eventually give way to a prevailing positive experience (east.thou., warm-glow effect or exhilaration). As such, this theory has been ordinarily used to help explicate the somewhat puzzling behavioral tendencies associated with addictive behavior.

Background and Significance of Opponent Process Theory

Solomon supported his theory past drawing on numerous examples of opponent process effects in the literature. Iv such examples are described in some particular: (1) love/interpersonal stimulation, (2) drug apply, (3) parachuting, (4) donating blood. The commencement two of these represent events that give rise to initially positive emotional states; the others initially create negative emotional states. In each of these examples, ii cadre aspects of the theory are evident: (1) The emotional value of the chief a-process and opponent b-process are always contrasting, and (2) repeated exposures to the same emotion-eliciting event atomic number 82 the a-process to weaken and the b-process to strengthen.

In the first example, the initial happiness elicited by a loving relationship may eventually give ascent to a negative emotional country. A common chestnut used to illustrate this betoken is that of a couple engaged in the height of sexual passion (highly positive), which is then abruptly interrupted, giving ascension to contrasting irritability, loneliness, perhaps craving in its absence (highly negative). The opponent process has also been used to help explicate more general separation anxiety in interpersonal relationships besides (e.g., in infant attachment when a parent leaves the room, and even in ducklings when the object of their imprinting is removed).

In the 2d example, the intense euphoria induced past a drug wears off over time leaving a user with a prevailing negative withdrawal reaction, making it difficult for him or her to ever return to the original high state first experienced. The acquired nature of this response may also help explicate occurrences of adventitious overdose. If the b-process becomes tied to ecology cues (e.g., when and where the drug is generally taken), and the drug is then taken in a different context, the acquired b-process may and so not be powerful plenty to counteract the initial a-process, resulting in a stronger drug reaction than anticipated.

In the tertiary example, beginning parachuters often report experiencing absolute terror when jumping out of a aeroplane and plummeting to the earth, and are reported to be in a stunned state once they country, gradually returning to neutrality. Afterward many jumps (for those that dare attempt it again), however, nigh jumpers cease to be terrified. Instead, they oftentimes become expectant, eagerly anticipating the next leap, and feel a strong sense of exhilaration that tin can last for many hours after the bound is completed. This caused and intensely positive experience causes some people to go on jumping to recapture the rewarding subsequently-feeling.

The quaternary example similarly shows how when people first give blood, they oftentimes report feeling broken-hearted during the feel just relief once it is done. Over time, however, most people written report experiencing reduced or no feet when giving blood but instead report an increasing warm-glow sensation that keeps them returning to donate more.

Opponent Process Theory Implications

Hither very dissimilar types of effects are explained by a single, elementary machinery, thereby demonstrating the utility of this theory. From this theory, psychologists learn that the initial emotional response elicited by a stimulus event might not necessarily explain the subsequent long-term behavioral tendencies related to that outcome. In the case of love, for example, which produces intensely euphoric responses initially, the opponent procedure theory suggests that over fourth dimension people may go motivated to stay in the dear relationship perhaps more in an attempt to avoid feeling lone or grief stricken than to sustain the loving feeling. Similarly, drug addicts may take drugs in increasingly large doses not to hunt the initial high so much as to avoid the increasing feelings of withdrawal. On the other hand, the very events that initially requite rise to negative emotional states (e.g., fright or anxiety), such equally parachuting or giving blood, over fourth dimension may be sought after in an attempt to accomplish the rewarding furnishings of the after-feelings associated with them. In this way, it becomes apparent how, eventually, initial pleasure tin can ironically give rising to behavioral tendencies governed by avoidance motivation, and initial negative emotions such as fearfulness by approach motivation.

References:

Solomon, R. 50. (1980). The opponent-procedure theory of acquired motivation: The costs of pleasure and benefits of pain. American Psychologist, 35, 691-712.
Solomon, R. 50., & Corbit, J. D. (1974). An opponent-procedure theory of motivation: I. Temporal dynamics of affect. Psychological Review, 81, 119-145.