Reference no: EM133606474

The development of my hatred for lima beans can be explained through classical conditioning. Because of the negative feelings associated with my memories of lima beans, I have natural feelings of disgust. I am not too fond of their smell when they boil in water, taste, and color. This distaste started when I was a kid. It is assumed that many kids do not like vegetables. However, I was fond of broccoli, greens, and sweet peas. I have two distinct memories of being forced to eat lima beans as a young kid and crying hysterically, hoping it would end the torture. As a learned behavior, I began to instinctively cry at the sight of lima beans on my plate as a child. Sometimes, the adult would feel bad and let me get away wit not eating them. Other times, it was a complete failure, and I had to eat them reluctantly. This experience has led me as an adult to carry the same disgust as a child. Even though many people predicted my taste would change to like lima beans as an adult since they did not like them as a child either. However, my negative experience with that particular vegetable has yet to change. It has also led to the development of stimulus discrimination and generalization. Any beans that resemble the shape, color, or smell I automatically do not like. It has become a natural reaction to decline the offer of beans or to other people's annoyance to pick beans out of a vegetable medley pack. I may relearn this conditioned response if I can disassociate my negative emotions from the bean. Until then, it can stay off my palate.