What must an organism do for conditioning to occur according to Contiguity Theory?

For conditioning to occur according to Contiguity Theory, the organism must actively respond by performing actions. This theory posits that learning occurs when a stimulus is presented closely in time to a response, thereby creating an association between the two. The organism's active participation in this process is crucial because it strengthens the connection between the stimulus and the behavior.

In this framework, if the organism remained passive, there would be no opportunity for a response to occur, and thus, no conditioning could take place. Observational learning, which involves conditioning through observation rather than direct action, does not align with Contiguity Theory, as the focus is on the direct interaction with stimuli and responses. Lastly, experiencing no external stimuli would prevent any form of learning, as there would be nothing to associate the response with. Hence, the active involvement of the organism in responding is a fundamental aspect of conditioning within this theoretical context.