Learning by association
See how a sound can become a useful signal for food.
The picture in words
- Before learning
- Food elicits salivation, while the sound begins as a neutral cue.
- During learning
- The sound is repeatedly followed by food.
- After learning
- The sound predicts food and can elicit salivation.
Reading the illustration
This diagram presents a general conditioning sequence. The details of timing and prior experience matter in particular studies.
Try a question
What has changed about the sound by the end of the sequence?
Show the explanation
It has acquired a predictive relationship with food. A stimulus that began as a neutral cue can now elicit a learned response.
Read the sources
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/6-2-classical-conditioningSelected introductory passages inspected