Association

Definition

In psychology, association refers to any connection between thoughts, feelings, or experiences that leads one to recall another. It's often used in learning theories such as classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

Related terms

Classical Conditioning: A learning process in which two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.

Operant Conditioning: A type of learning where behavior is controlled by consequences. Key concepts in operant conditioning are positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment and negative punishment.

Cognitive Psychology: The scientific study of mental processes such as "attention, language use, memory, perception, problem solving, creativity and thinking."