Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning (also named Pavlovian conditioning, for Ivan Pavlov, the researcher who pioneered the topic) is considered, along with habituation, to be a fundamental form of learning. The term conditioning is used because classical, along with instrumental and operant, is considered a simpler and more basic form of learning. As a form of learning, classical conditioning involves a relatively permanent change in behavior potentiality that arises as a result of particular experiences. Hence, at one time a certain behavior does not take place. But as a result of independent variables (or imposed stimulus contingencies), a particular target behavior then does take place with greater probability.

Unlike habituation, which involves only a single stimulus, classical conditioning involves two stimuli that are paired. The purpose of one ...