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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2020 Dec 1.
Published in final edited form as: Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019 Oct 14;107:641–655. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.007

Figure 4: Categories of learning involved in (chronic) pain.

Figure 4:

The two main types of learning involved in chronic pain, classical (Pavlovian) learning (A) and operant learning (B) are depicted using examples. Note that although in some cases avoiding a behavior that is painful may be adaptive on the short term, avoidance behavior in general is considered maladaptive and has been linked to reduced overall functioning and increased disability. On the right, a brief overview is provided on how these types of learning are relevant for and/or altered in patients with chronic pain.