Final answer:
Associative learning is a psychological concept that involves forming connections between stimuli or events in the environment, and includes types like classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Examples include Pavlov's classical conditioning, where dogs learn to salivate at the sound of a bell, and operant conditioning, such as rewarding a dog for sitting which reinforces that behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Associative Learning and Examples
Associative learning is a form of learning that involves connecting certain stimuli or events that occur together in the environment. There are two main types: classical conditioning and operant conditioning.
Classical Conditioning
In classical conditioning, organisms learn to associate two stimuli that frequently occur together. A classic example is Pavlov's dogs, which started salivating not just when they tasted food, but when they heard the bell that had been repeatedly associated with the arrival of food.
Operant Conditioning
Operant conditioning involves learning to associate a behavior with its consequence. For instance, if a dog sits on command and receives a treat, it learns that sitting leads to a reward. This increases the likelihood of the dog sitting when asked in the future.
Application in Daily Life
Everyday examples of associative learning include learning to anticipate a loud noise after seeing lightning, or feeling hungry when it's close to your regular mealtime.