Definition
Association
An association is a learned, directed link between two mental representations such that the activation of one triggers the activation or expectation of the other.
Associations are formed through repeated temporal contiguity or co-occurrence of stimuli. Once established, they allow the cognitive system to predict or infer one event from the presence of another.
Example
Lightning and Thunder
Lightning is generally followed by thunder. Through repeated co-occurrence, two associations form:
- Lightning thunder: perceiving lightning triggers the expectation of thunder.
- Thunder lightning: hearing thunder triggers the inference that lightning struck.