Which term refers to the process of learning associations linking two events or stimuli?

The term that refers to the process of learning associations linking two events or stimuli is conditioning. Conditioning is a fundamental concept in behavioral psychology, encompassing both classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning involves learning through associations between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus, leading to a conditioned response. For example, a dog learns to associate the sound of a bell with food, eventually salivating at the sound alone.

Operant conditioning, on the other hand, involves learning based on consequences, where behaviors are reinforced or punished, influencing the likelihood of those behaviors occurring again in the future. Both types of conditioning illustrate how organisms learn to associate certain stimuli with specific responses or behaviors.

The other terms listed do not accurately describe the learning of associations between events or stimuli. Consequential learning refers more broadly to understanding the consequences of actions rather than specifically linking events or stimuli. A feedback mechanism typically relates to processes that regulate behavior or systems through responses to outputs, and criteria assessment is focused on evaluating performance or outcomes based on specific standards, not on the learning of associations.