associative learning has 2 parts
1. classical conditioning- when we learn that a stimulus predicts another stimulus2. when we learning
Associative learning is a type of learning in which an organism learns to associate one stimulus with another stimulus or behavior. The two main parts of associative learning are:
1. Classical conditioning: Classical conditioning, also known as Pavlovian conditioning, is a learning process wherein an organism learns to associate a previously neutral stimulus with another stimulus that naturally elicits a certain response. In classical conditioning, the neutral stimulus (also known as the conditioned stimulus or CS) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS), which elicits an unconditioned response (UCR). Over time, the organism learns to associate the CS with the UCS, and the CS alone elicits a behavior, known as the conditioned response (CR).
For example, in Pavlov’s famous experiment with dogs, the sound of a bell was initially a neutral stimulus that caused no response in the dogs. However, when the bell was repeatedly paired with meat powder, which naturally caused the dogs to salivate, the bell alone began to elicit salivation in the dogs.
2. Operant conditioning: Operant conditioning, also known as instrumental conditioning, is a type of learning in which an organism learns to associate a particular behavior with a consequence. The consequences can be positive (reinforcement) or negative (punishment), and they either increase or decrease the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated in the future.
For example, a rat in a lab may learn to press a lever in order to receive a food pellet (positive reinforcement), or to avoid an electric shock by not pressing the lever (negative reinforcement). Alternatively, the rat may learn not to press the lever if doing so causes a painful electric shock (positive punishment), or if the food pellets stop being delivered (negative punishment).
In summary, classical conditioning involves learning associations between two stimuli, while operant conditioning involves learning associations between a behavior and its consequences.