Question

What is the term for the process by which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response?

• A. Operant conditioning
• B. Classical conditioning
• C. Observational learning
• D. Cognitive mapping

Hint:

In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus becomes meaningful through its association with an unconditioned stimulus, leading to a conditioned response.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Classical conditioning, first developed by Ivan Pavlov, is a process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response. In Pavlov's famous experiment, a dog learned to associate a bell (neutral stimulus) with food (unconditioned stimulus), eventually salivating in response to the bell alone (conditioned response).
- Operant conditioning (A) focuses on learning behaviors through reinforcement and punishment, rather than association between stimuli.
- Observational learning (C) involves learning behaviors by observing others, without direct association of stimuli.
- Cognitive mapping (D) refers to the mental representation of spatial relationships and is unrelated to conditioning processes.
Thus, the correct answer is classical conditioning.