In psychology, avoidance coping or avoidant coping, also known as escape coping, is a maladaptive coping mechanism characterized by a person's efforts, conscious or unconscious, to avoid dealing with a stressor. Coping refers to behaviors that attempt to protect oneself from psychological damage. The avoidant form of coping is part of the approach-avoidance conflict theory introduced by psychologist Kurt Lewin. Alternatives to avoidance coping include modifying or eliminating the conditions that gave rise to the problem and changing the perception of an experience in a way that neutralizes the problem.