What type of learning is associated with a neutral stimulus becoming meaningful?

The learning type associated with a neutral stimulus becoming meaningful is classical conditioning. In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus that naturally elicits a response. Over time, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus; it acquires the ability to evoke a response similar to that of the unconditioned stimulus, which is referred to as a conditioned response.

An iconic example of classical conditioning is Pavlov's experiment with dogs, where the sound of a bell (initially a neutral stimulus) was paired with the presentation of food (the unconditioned stimulus). After several pairings, the bell alone elicited salivation from the dogs, demonstrating that the neutral stimulus had gained meaning and was able to trigger a response on its own.

Understanding classical conditioning is fundamental in cognitive psychology because it illustrates how associations are formed in the brain, influencing behaviors and emotional responses. This process can help explain various learning phenomena, such as phobias or conditioned taste aversions, where the associations formed can have significant impacts on behaviors and experiences.