Final answer:
The type of associative learning where animals associate landmarks with locations is called cognitive learning. It involves the creation of a cognitive map, allowing animals to navigate their environment effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Associative Learning in Animals
The type of associative learning that occurs when an animal associates landmarks with a specific location is known as cognitive learning. This form of learning is crucial in how animals navigate their environment. It is distinct from classical and operant conditioning in that it involves the formation of a cognitive map in the animal’s mind, which E.C. Tolman demonstrated with his experiments on rats navigating mazes. Unlike conditioning, cognitive learning allows animals to form mental representations of their environment and use those to navigate efficiently.
One clear example of associative learning through cognitive mapping is seen when rats learn to navigate a maze not just by making a series of left and right turns, but by creating a mental map of the maze which allows them to find their way through more effectively. This ability to form cognitive maps is not limited to rats; many animals use landmarks and environmental cues to remember locations and navigate between them.