A learning process wherein a single pairing of a stimulus and response results in a relatively permanent change in behavior. This form of rapid acquisition is often observed in instances of taste aversion, where an organism learns to avoid a food after a single experience of illness following its consumption. For example, if an individual becomes sick after eating a specific dish, they may develop an aversion to that dish, even if the illness was unrelated to the food itself.
The swiftness of this associative learning offers a survival advantage, enabling organisms to quickly adapt to potentially harmful stimuli in their environment. Historically, understanding the mechanisms behind this type of conditioning has been crucial in the development of behavioral therapies and in comprehending how phobias and anxieties can arise. It underscores the potency of singular experiences in shaping behavioral patterns.