Association theories are psychological concepts that explain how ideas, memories, and experiences are connected in the mind. These theories suggest that when one thought or experience occurs, it can trigger related thoughts or memories, creating a network of associations. This process helps individuals learn and recall information more effectively. One well-known association theory is the classical conditioning proposed by Ivan Pavlov, which demonstrates how a neutral stimulus can become associated with a response through repeated pairing with an unconditioned stimulus. Another example is Edward Thorndike's law of effect, which states that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to be repeated, forming associations between actions and their consequences.