Which of the following statements is true of associative learning in the context of classical conditioning?

• A. Associative learning involves forming a connection between two stimuli, such as a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus.
• B. Associative learning refers exclusively to the process of observational learning.
• C. Associative learning does not play a role in classical conditioning.
• D. Associative learning only occurs when a behavior is followed by a reward or punishment.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of associative learning: it is a fundamental process in classical conditioning where an organism learns to connect two stimuli.
2. Recall that in classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus (NS) is paired repeatedly with an unconditioned stimulus (US) that naturally elicits an unconditioned response (UR).
3. Recognize that through this pairing, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) that elicits a conditioned response (CR), demonstrating the formation of an association between the two stimuli.
4. Evaluate the given statements by comparing them to this understanding: associative learning is not exclusive to observational learning, nor is it absent in classical conditioning, and it is not limited to behaviors followed by rewards or punishments (which relates more to operant conditioning).
5. Conclude that the true statement is the one describing associative learning as forming a connection between two stimuli, such as a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus.