How does associative learning differ from non-associative learning in animals?

Associative learning involves forming associations between stimuli, while non-associative learning involves changes in behaviour without such associations.

Associative learning is a fundamental form of learning in which an animal makes connections between different events or stimuli. This type of learning is often seen in classical conditioning and operant conditioning. In classical conditioning, an animal learns to associate a neutral stimulus with a significant one, leading to a conditioned response. For example, Pavlov's dogs learned to associate the sound of a bell (neutral stimulus) with food (significant stimulus), causing them to salivate (conditioned response) at the sound of the bell. In operant conditioning, an animal learns to associate a behaviour with a consequence. For instance, a dog may learn to sit on command because it associates this behaviour with receiving a treat.

On the other hand, non-associative learning is a change in behaviour that occurs over time in response to a single type of stimulus. This form of learning does not involve the animal making connections between different events or stimuli. Instead, it involves the animal becoming more sensitive (sensitisation) or less sensitive (habituation) to a stimulus after repeated exposure. For example, an animal might initially react strongly to a loud noise but gradually become habituated to it and react less over time. Alternatively, if a mild stimulus is repeatedly followed by an unpleasant one, the animal may become sensitised and react more strongly to the mild stimulus.

In summary, the key difference between associative and non-associative learning lies in the formation of associations. Associative learning involves the animal making connections between different events or stimuli, leading to changes in behaviour. In contrast, non-associative learning involves changes in an animal's behaviour in response to a single type of stimulus, without the formation of associations between different stimuli. Both types of learning are crucial for an animal's survival, allowing it to adapt to its environment and respond appropriately to different situations.