... This essay is going to discuss two of the theories, namely learning by association and learning by trial and error, their processes and what is learned. Learning by Association Learning by association was renowned by Pavlov's work. In his work, he tried to associate new stimuli with old reflex or instinct. Let's begin with the terminology in this theory. The basis of the theory is that a Stimulus (S) elicits a Response (R). A natural, instinctive pair of S/R is UnConditional Stimulus (UCS) and UnConditional Response (UCR). UCS is a natural matter which elicits UCR reflexively. This pair is an inborn reflex. A stimulus which elicits no response is a Neutral Stimulus (NS). Conditional Stimulus (CS) and Conditional Response (CR) is acquired pair. Once a NS and UCS are associated, it becomes CS; the response elicited is called CR. This pair is a learned behavior. In Pavlov's attempt, the behavior of a dog ...

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