What does classical conditioning involve?

Classical conditioning involves a learning process through associations between stimuli, which is a foundational concept in psychology developed by Ivan Pavlov. In this form of learning, a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response. For instance, in Pavlov’s famous experiment, the sound of a bell (the neutral stimulus) was paired with food (the unconditioned stimulus), leading dogs to salivate (the conditioned response) at the sound of the bell alone after repeated pairings.

The essence of classical conditioning lies in this ability to link stimuli and form associations, highlighting how behavior can be influenced by learned experiences. This process applies widely across both human and animal learning, demonstrating that responses can be conditioned through repeated exposure to certain stimuli, making it a critical concept in understanding behavior and learning.