In classical conditioning, learning that certain events occur together (for example, that a neutral stimulus reliably precedes an unconditioned stimulus) is called what?

• A. Extinction
• B. Generalization
• C. Spontaneous recovery
• D. Acquisition

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key concept in classical conditioning where learning occurs by associating two stimuli: a neutral stimulus (NS) and an unconditioned stimulus (US).
2. Recognize that when the neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with the unconditioned stimulus, the organism begins to respond to the neutral stimulus as if it were the unconditioned stimulus.
3. Identify the term that describes this process of learning the association between the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus.
4. Recall the definitions of the other options: Extinction refers to the weakening of the conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus; Generalization is when stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus elicit the conditioned response; Spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of a conditioned response after a rest period following extinction.
5. Conclude that the correct term for learning that certain events occur together, such as a neutral stimulus reliably preceding an unconditioned stimulus, is Acquisition.