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Threshold Method and Incompatibility Method

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I need help with the following two paragraphs, planning a strategy to form or to break the habit using the threshold method and the incompatibility method. An example and a strategy.

A second method, called the threshold method, is when the stimulus can be presented indistinctly so that the individual learns over time not to respond in the habitual manner.

A third method, called the incompatibility method, replaces the stimulus-response habit with another habit, where eventually the individual adopts the new behavior in response to the stimulus.

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Solution Summary

Through illustrative examples, this solution explains how to form or to break a habit(s) using the threshold and the incompatibility method.

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Hi,

Interesting methods! Let's take a closer look. I also attached some extra information at the end of the response.

RESPONSE:

1. The threshold method is when the stimulus can be presented indistinctly so that the individual learns over time not to respond in the habitual manner.

Guthrie postulated that the larger the number of stimuli that created the responses, the stronger the habit. For example, the habit of drinking wine is associated with the stimuli - in a party, at a meal, after a meal, before going out on a date, so in the presence of so many conditions (URL: http://books.google.ca/books?id=dXZnwvs6gYIC&pg=PA246&lpg=PA246&dq=breaking+a+ahbit+treshold+method&source=web&ots=GVd4-IN2lB&sig=LxsMDkE22Wrr1sce2nt3CnQslBg&hl=en#PPA247,M1).

For example, to break the habit of drinking wine, the stimulus presented will be so weak or faint (e.g., having a bottle of wine in view while watching a television show that you dislike, or while the baby is crying or while doing some activity that you dislike doing), that the undesirable response (e.g., drinking wine) does not occur. In fact, the stimuli (e.g., while watching a television show that you dislike) is said to be below the threshold for the response (e.g., drinking wine) to occur. Gradually, the stimuli are increased in strength on successive trials (having a bottle of wine within reach while watching a television program that you think is okay, but do not totally dislike, or while the baby is not crying, or doing an activity that is okay but not your favorite, and so on) in such a way that the response (e.g., drinking wine) does not occur. These repeated experiences with faint or weak stimuli raise the threshold, so that even stronger stimuli will be below the threshold, so the response (e.g., ...

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