Which of the following statements is true of classical conditioning?

• A. It requires conscious thought and deliberate decision-making by the learner.
• B. It is primarily concerned with the consequences of behavior rather than antecedents.
• C. It was first described by B.F. Skinner in his studies of operant behavior.
• D. It involves learning through the association of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of classical conditioning. It is a learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.
2. Step 2: Recognize that classical conditioning does not require conscious thought or deliberate decision-making by the learner; it is an automatic form of learning.
3. Step 3: Note that classical conditioning focuses on the association between stimuli (antecedents), not on the consequences of behavior, which is the focus of operant conditioning.
4. Step 4: Identify that classical conditioning was first described by Ivan Pavlov, not B.F. Skinner, who is known for operant conditioning.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the true statement about classical conditioning is that it involves learning through the association of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.