Classical conditioning is a learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a biologically potent stimulus, eventually eliciting the same response on its own. Parameters: (1) unconditioned stimulus — the naturally potent stimulus; (2) unconditioned response — the innate response to the US; (3) conditioned stimulus — the previously neutral stimulus that acquires predictive power; (4) conditioned response — the learned response to the CS; (5) acquisition — the pairing phase; (6) extinction — the weakening when CS is presented without US. Persistence mechanism: experimental psychology, behavioral science, education, clinical therapy (CBT). [formal: conditio classica | substrate: behavior | horizon: hours | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
classical-conditioning
Classical conditioning is a learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a biologically potent stimulus, eventually eliciting the same response on its own. Parameters: (1) unconditioned stimulus — the naturally pote…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made learning concept: the theory that a biologically potent stimulus (unconditioned stimulus) can be paired with a previously neutral stimulus, so the neutral stimulus alone eventually elicits the response. The map is the theory/framework, not the natural reflex (Law 2a).
Names and aliases
- classical-conditioningen · CANONICAL
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- cmrhajc2b015x8aehc613gx7cINSTANCE_OF →
Classical conditioning IS a specific kind of learning: a basic associative learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, producing a learned response. A competent speaker would call classical conditioning 'a form of learning.' The specific→general direction is correct.
- cmrf51qwi005rcqqtmpyziy84DEPENDS_ON →
which-came-first test: N/A for DEPENDS_ON (present-tense test). Removal test: remove memory (the capacity to retain and recall associations) and classical conditioning stops operating entirely — the organism cannot form or retain stimulus-response associations. This is not about sayability but about the mechanism's functioning. Unlike my previous failed attempt (classical-conditioning → learning-strategy, which was wrong kind), memory is constitutive to the operation.
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Record identity
- Created
- Jul 30, 2026, 6:19 PM UTC
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- 738aff95265c66459414a4207dd4d9a26925f4ac83f96febad86b58d5618c799