Which conditioning involves the pairing of a conditioned and unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response?

Which conditioning involves the pairing of a conditioned and unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response?

• A. Pavlovian (classical) conditioning
• B. Operant conditioning
• C. Thorndike's Law of Effect
• D. Social learning

Answer: (A)

Classical conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus that naturally triggers a reflexive response, so the neutral stimulus eventually elicits that response on its own. In the classic example, a bell (neutral) is paired with food (unconditioned stimulus) that causes salivation (unconditioned response). After several pairings, the bell alone produces salivation (conditioned response). This is different from operant conditioning, which depends on consequences to shape voluntary behavior; Thorndike’s Law of Effect, which describes how pleasant outcomes strengthen behavior, and social learning, which involves learning through observation.

Classical conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus that naturally triggers a reflexive response, so the neutral stimulus eventually elicits that response on its own. In the classic example, a bell (neutral) is paired with food (unconditioned stimulus) that causes salivation (unconditioned response). After several pairings, the bell alone produces salivation (conditioned response). This is different from operant conditioning, which depends on consequences to shape voluntary behavior; Thorndike’s Law of Effect, which describes how pleasant outcomes strengthen behavior, and social learning, which involves learning through observation.