What defines classical conditioning?

Classical conditioning is defined by its process of learning through associations between stimuli. This learning theory, first developed by Ivan Pavlov, demonstrates how a neutral stimulus can become associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response. For example, Pavlov's experiments with dogs showed that after repeated pairings of a bell (neutral stimulus) with the presentation of food (unconditioned stimulus), the bell alone could evoke salivation (conditioned response) in the dogs. This foundational concept highlights how behaviors can be learned through the associations formed between different stimuli in the environment.

In contrast, other options describe different concepts. A method of punishment relates more to operant conditioning, where behaviors are modified through rewards or consequences. Memory recall techniques typically involve strategies for retrieving information from memory, not conditioning. Lastly, humanistic psychology focuses on individual potential and personal growth, which does not directly pertain to the mechanisms of learning through stimulus associations emphasized in classical conditioning.