What is the process of associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response known as?

The process of associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response is known as conditioning, specifically classical conditioning. This concept was famously explored by Ivan Pavlov, who demonstrated that a neutral stimulus, such as a bell, could become associated with an unconditioned stimulus, like food, which naturally elicits a response, such as salivation. Through repeated pairings, the neutral stimulus transforms into a conditioned stimulus that can evoke a similar response even in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus.

Reinforcement pertains to increasing the likelihood of a behavior through rewards or consequences, while generalization involves responding similarly to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus. Shaping refers to the process of reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior. None of these terms correctly define the specific process of associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to establish a conditioned response, making conditioning the accurate answer.