Which psychological principle is exemplified by classical conditioning?

The principle exemplified by classical conditioning is indeed that a certain response to a specific stimulus will produce a specific result. In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus that naturally elicits a response. Over time, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus, triggering the same response on its own. This demonstrates how behaviors can be learned and modified based on associations between stimuli.

For instance, if a dog learns to associate the sound of a bell with receiving food, the dog will eventually salivate at the sound of the bell alone, even when no food is presented. This process highlights the core of classical conditioning: the creation of associations that lead to learned responses, showing that behavior can be influenced by environmental stimuli and not just innate factors.