What does the concept of conditioning suggest in relation to double bind messages?

The concept of conditioning suggests that repeated exposure to certain stimuli can lead to the development of involuntary responses. In the context of double bind messages, which are contradictory signals that can create confusion and anxiety for the recipient, repeated exposure to these conflicting messages can lead to conditioned responses. For instance, a person may become anxious or develop coping strategies that are driven by the repeated experience of these contradictory communications. This aligns with the principles of classical and operant conditioning, where consistent pairing of stimuli can result in predictable behavior changes over time.

The idea that messages must always be present to maintain their effect does not reflect the essence of conditioning, which focuses on the influence of past experiences rather than the necessity of continual reinforcement. Additionally, conditioning impacting receptors involved in communication does not capture the essence of how learned behaviors and emotional responses are formed. Lastly, the notion that conditioning is limited to physical contexts ignores its extensive application in emotional and psychological realms, particularly in how individuals learn to navigate complex interpersonal messages and environments.