Final answer:
Associative learning is the process where we connect stimuli or experiences that occur together, deepening our understanding and retention of information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Associative learning occurs when we think of the stimulus meaning and make associations, with more associations leading to deeper processing. This form of learning is crucial to understanding how we process and retain information. Associative learning is a central concept in many learning processes such as classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning. In classical conditioning, organisms learn to link stimuli that often occur together, like lightning and thunder. In operant conditioning, there is an association between behavior and its subsequent consequence, which can be either positive reinforcement or punishment.
Furthermore, conscious and unconscious processes are involved in learning. Top-down processing relates to how our previous experiences influence how we perceive stimuli, indicative of a more conscious involvement in encoding information.