What Is Opponent Process Theory?

Opponent process theory is an influential psychological theory that explores how humans experience emotions and modify their behavior. The theory suggests that when a person is exposed to a stimulus, they experience an initial response that is followed by an opposing reaction that counters the first one

For example, a student who gets a 100% on their exam experiences an initial moment of joy at their accomplishment after which they feel sadness wash over them. Some psychologists believe that this is the result of their nervous system trying to return to equilibrium. This understanding of a two-part emotional response is called “opponent processing” and has been used to explain why people may feel mixed emotions toward certain situations or events over time.

These findings have implications for mental health and various facets of human behavior. Opponent process theory may help us understand the experience of addiction while also helping to explain why we often become desensitized to certain stimuli over time. By understanding these processes, clinicians may be able to better identify and address patients’ reactions and behaviors to foster more effective treatment plans. Additionally, individuals who experience negative behavior patterns may be more likely to recognize the cycles they experience and develop healthier coping skills. 

What is opponent process theory?

The first-order system produces initial excitatory response emotions and can quickly adapt to repeated presentations of the same stimulus. In contrast, the second-order system produces opposing inhibitory emotions and takes longer to adjust to familiar cues.

This theory has been used to explain how repeated exposure to certain stimuli can change over time and the different ways that humans react to positive and negative experiences. It can also help us understand why we may not remember negative emotions as strongly as positive ones and why some of our most intense feelings arise from unexpected events.

Solomon's opponent process theory has helped shed light on how our minds cope with repeated exposure to stimuli, both positive and negative. According to his research, people tend to become accustomed to certain stimuli over time, leading to a decrease in the intensity of their emotional responses. For example, if someone experiences fear when they first encounter a spider, they may gradually become less intimidated by spiders after multiple exposures.

When considering positive emotions versus negative ones, opponent process theory explains how these may be experienced differently depending on one’s level of familiarity with a particular stimulus. Initially, exciting events or activities tend to be more enjoyable than those which have been experienced before; however, as one grows accustomed to them, they become less thrilling over time. This theory also describes the phenomenon of how the opposing reaction tends to grow over time rather than subside. 

Motivation and emotional states

An important aspect of the opponent process theory is to explain how people's emotions and motivations can shift over time as their brains adjust to different stimuli and situations. The theory also may shed light on how negative emotional states can eventually turn positive, due to repeated exposure as people become less reactive and more tolerant of their environments. 

Furthermore, it may provide insight into why people sometimes develop habits and addictions as their brains adjust to frequent exposure to certain stimuli. This may help people recognize this behavior as habitual rather than something new or novel every time they encounter it.

According to the theory, the emotional value that is tied to the initial reaction will always be in direct contrast to the secondary, opponent process. This means that over time, repeated exposure to the same experience will eventually lead to a shift in the way the event or situation is experienced. 

One example of this process in the real world is the opponent processes that are often at work in relationships. Often, individuals may quickly fall in love with someone prior to knowing them on a deeper level. Once a person begins to intimately know their partner, it becomes more common to associate the person with different responses. 

This theory also explains how initially positive experiences differ from those that are negative in the beginning. For negative experiences such as traumatic instances or a life-threatening event, the negative emotions associated become weaker with repeated exposure, whereas positive experiences do not undergo the same manner of change over time. 

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

The feelings of happiness and relief that often come with working through a challenging experience are thought to replace the negative ones entrenched through fear, anxiety, and mental fixation on negative thoughts. 

These opposing changes in the state may help us understand how to better cope with adversity and the difficult mental challenges these experiences can bring. With these ideas in mind, you might consider the value of practicing positive self-talk and approaching new experiences with trust rather than fear and anxiety. 

Opponent process theory of color vision

Opponent process theory of color vision is an explanation of how humans perceive colors. This theory was proposed in the early 1970s as a counterpoint to the trichromatic theory, which states that there are three primary colors (red, green, and blue) from which all other colors are created. Opponent process theory postulates that the perception of color is based on two pairs of opposing processes - reddish green and blue/yellow. 

Under opponent process theory, each pair contains one color in its "active" state while the other is in its "inactive" state. For example, if someone looks at a red rose, their eyes will be stimulated with the red active state while the green light will be inactive. The activation of one color causes inhibition of its opposing counterpart. This means that looking for a longer period at a certain color will cause its opposite to become more visible, which is known as a negative afterimage. 

Opponent process theory also explains how people can see more than just three primary colors. For instance, orange has both red and yellow components within it, resulting in more complex visual perceptions when considering multiple elements together. By understanding opponent processes, we gain insight into why certain colors appear different depending on what surrounds them or how they interact with each other. This theory is similar to how we may imagine the role of opponent processes in cognition and behavior. 

Opponent process theory and drug addiction

When a person first experiences a drug, they may experience a strong primary response resulting from the direct effects of the drug on their body and mind. The more they use the substance, however, the less pronounced this primary response becomes as their body develops tolerance. By contrast, the secondary reaction increases in intensity with each successive exposure to the drug, while remaining weaker than the primary response during early exposures. This secondary reaction serves as a kind of negative counterbalance to the initial positive response. 

The end result is that those experiencing addiction may become increasingly reliant and tolerant of drugs to reach the same level of pleasure with each use. Over time, withdrawal symptoms may take hold as users attempt to quit using and remove themselves from this cycle of reinforcement. As such, the opponent process theory provides an important explanation for how addiction works on a physiological level and why it can be difficult for people to break free from its grip after prolonged periods of use.

In one study, researchers looked at the potential connection between the ideas behind opponent process theory and the neurobiological activities that may cause these tendencies. In their study, their team discovered that the brain did in fact display a loss of reward function and an increase in stress reactions tied to the tolerance buildup of repeated drug use as well as the difficult withdrawal symptoms that individuals often experience. 

Explore your thoughts and actions in therapy

If you’re looking for a better understanding of your thoughts and reactions to situations you experience, working with a therapist may be beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of mental health counseling that focuses on helping people identify and challenge negative thought patterns, as well as develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving. CBT works by helping individuals become mindful of thought and behavior patterns and helping them develop strategies for changing them.

CBT is supported by the theories of opponent process theory, and these theories are often used to increase awareness of behavior patterns. Through continued exposure and acceptance of difficult feelings, individuals can gain insight into how these emotions ebb and flow so they can begin adjusting their habits accordingly towards healthier living.

You may, however, experience barriers to beginning therapy, such as finding the right therapist for your situation or having to commute to appointments. In those cases, online therapy may be a good option for you. With online therapy, you can get matched with a therapist who is suited to your needs and meet with them from the comfort of your own home.

Research has shown online therapy to be an effective treatment for many mental health conditions and a good support tool for everyday struggles. In one study, researchers looked at the role that online CBT played in reducing symptoms of various psychiatric conditions compared to traditional, in-person options. In their study, researchers discovered that online CBT was just as effective.