This study undertook to reconcile the views of cognitive and behavioral learning theorists on the issue whether learning without awareness (LWA) is possible, and if so, the circumstances under which it occurs. In Study One, two reinforcement procedures were compared in a structured verbal conditioning task. Study Two was a replication of Study One. In Study Three, an attempt was made to demonstrate LWA in another laboratory task, in which subjects were asked to make a series of choices among four different cards. Study Four attempted to demonstrate the generality of LWA through the use of a totally unstructured interview. It was concluded that LWA in laboratory verbal conditioning does take place under appropriate circumstances, when reinforcement appears to be a natural part of the situation and the subject does not have a learning "set". It appears that this phenomenon can also occur in a naturalistic setting. The findings support a behavioral rather than a cognitive approach to an understanding of verbal conditioning. (Author/KJ)