What type of conditioning involves linking two or more stimuli and anticipating events?

Classical conditioning is the correct choice as it refers to the process of learning by associating two or more stimuli together in a way that leads to an anticipated response. This concept was famously demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov's experiment with dogs, where he linked the sound of a bell (neutral stimulus) with the presentation of food (unconditioned stimulus), eventually causing the dogs to salivate (conditioned response) merely at the sound of the bell.

In classical conditioning, the learner is passive and develops an automatic response to a previously neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus. This form of conditioning is fundamental in understanding various psychological phenomena, such as phobias and anxiety responses, where an individual may anticipate certain emotional or physiological reactions in response to specific cues.

The other options represent different concepts. Operant conditioning involves modifying behavior through rewards and punishments rather than associations between stimuli. Emotional conditioning refers specifically to learning emotional responses, while behavior modification encompasses broader techniques used to change behavior, often based on principles from both classical and operant conditioning. These distinctions clarify why classical conditioning is specifically about linking stimuli and anticipating events.