What does Contiguity Theory (Edwin Guthrie) emphasize about learning?

Contiguity Theory, proposed by Edwin Guthrie, focuses on the idea that learning occurs through direct associations between stimuli and responses. This theory posits that whenever a particular stimulus occurs in conjunction with a specific response, the two become linked in the learner's mind, leading to associative learning. Therefore, the essence of learning, according to this theory, hinges on the pairings of events occurring close together in time, which reinforces the connection between the stimulus and the response.

This emphasis on stimulus-response associations aligns with the fundamental tenets of behaviorism, which views behavior as a series of interactions between observable stimuli and responses, without necessarily considering the internal thought processes or cognitive elements that might influence learning. While other theories may argue that learning can involve rewards, punishments, social dynamics, or cognitive evaluations, Contiguity Theory strictly maintains that the primary mechanism of learning revolves around the immediate connection between a stimulus and the resulting response. Thus, the focus remains solely on the relationship formed through experience, making this choice the correct answer.