Aversive control and appetitive control, which of them do you exercise?

The terms aversive control and appetitive control have been introduced by experts in third generation therapies., sometimes also known as contextual therapies. These are very interesting concepts because they are directly related to our behavior.

Aversive control and appetitive control are mainly related to motivation.. They also allude to how power is exercised, both on a global level in the State and in more particular and intimate areas.

These two ways of exercising control have very profound effects on our attitude towards life and our state of mind.. They are present all the time and that is why they filter into our behavior, and into the behavior of others, without us barely noticing it. Let’s see what this is about.

“It’s ironic that one of the few things we have control over is our own attitudes, and yet most of us live our entire lives behaving as if we have no control.”.

-Jim Rohn-

aversive control

Inside of the aversive control All those factors that condition our behavior and lead us to act to avoid a certain response from the environment or others. In this way, the person behaves in such a way that he can avoid something that he considers unpleasant or painful for him.

Let’s look at some examples of aversive control:

A person runs desperately, because he thinks he is being chased by someone who wants to hurt him. In this case The pursuer conditions the conduct of the persecuted. The latter wants to avoid his attacker.A girl has slipped in the pool and swallowed a mouthful of water. She now walks very carefully when she is in a similar place and, in fact, she does not want to go back into the pool. Your aversion to water is conditioned for what happened to him.A student couldn’t finish his work because he was with his friends. He tells his teacher that he was sick and that prevented her from doing his homework. He lies to avoid the consequences of his irresponsibility.An adult avoids speaking frankly with his boss. He was educated in a very restrictive environment, in which he was prohibited from expressing himself. If you have to talk to an authority figure, you feel very afraid and that’s why you avoid it.even if you need to do it.

What is common in these attitudes is avoidance. Typical in aversive control is avoidance, postponement, lying submit, be aggressive, etc.. These behaviors have only a short-term effect, since they do not ultimately eliminate or suppress the source of the fear or aversion.

Appetitive control

Appetitive control would be a form of conditioning governed by will and desire. In other words, corresponds to those behaviors that are motivated by the desire to obtain something that is considered positive.

Let’s look at some examples of appetitive control:

A person runs because they are following a training plan and have set a goal of obtaining a certain speed or level of resistance. His motivation is to improve himself.A child enters the pool and has fun playing with the water. Every time he sees a pool he tries to get in there, because for him it is synonymous with play. He does this because it amuses him..The student did not do his work, but he confesses the reasons to his teacher and excuses himself. The teacher gives a bad grade, but it increases his trust with the boy. The quality of the relationship is stronger than the fear of sanctionThe adult speaks with his boss, and with other authority figures, whenever he needs or wants to express something that he considers relevant to the job. He does so frankly and respectfully, but without fear.

What is common in all these attitudes is the factor of desire. The person acts in a certain way, because he wants to do it that way. and considers it positive. You have control over your actions and in each of them your own well-being is reaffirmed and reaffirmed.

Aversive control and appetitive control

The concepts of aversive control and appetitive control also apply to major social events.. The power of the State, for example, designs a whole host of sanctions for those who do not comply with the legal framework.

Many act against society and the State, trying to avoid punishments or sanctions. Society rarely rewards good actions, but rather punishes those considered bad.. In this way, aversive control and appetitive control rarely come together in great realities. Control based on aversion predominates.

At the macro and micro levels, aversive control works to generate fear, sadness, and submission.. Appetitive control, on the other hand, would give rise to free, happy and courageous societies and people. Aversive control and appetitive control are motivations that are not mutually exclusive, as they often appear combined with each other. Which of these types of control and where do you exercise it?

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