Final answer:
The initial learning of the stimulus-response link in classical conditioning is known as acquisition.
Step-by-step explanation:
In classical conditioning, the initial period of learning is known as acquisition, when an organism learns to connect a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus. During acquisition, the neutral stimulus begins to elicit the conditioned response, and eventually the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus capable of eliciting the conditioned response by itself.
For example, in Pavlov's experiments with dogs, the sound of a bell (neutral stimulus) was paired with the presentation of food (unconditioned stimulus). Over time, the dogs began to salivate (conditioned response) at the sound of the bell alone (conditioned stimulus), even without the presence of food.
Therefore, the statement that acquisition in classical conditioning is the initial learning of the stimulus-response link is true.