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| IVAN PAVLOV |
Laboratory experiments with dogs provided the basis
for the development of Ivan Pavlov’s theory of classical
conditioning: behavior can be changed through
conditioning with external or environmental conditions
or stimuli. His experiment with dogs involved
his observation that dogs naturally began to salivate
(response) when they saw or smelled food (stimulus).
Pavlov (1849–1936) set out to change this salivating
response or behavior through conditioning. He would
ring a bell (new stimulus) then produce the food, and
the dogs would salivate (the desired response). Pavlov
repeated this ringing of the bell along with the presentation
of food many times. Eventually he could
ring the bell and the dogs would salivate without seeing
or smelling food. The dogs had been “conditioned”
or had learned a new response—to salivate when
they heard the bell. Their behavior had been modified
through classical conditioning or a conditioned
response.
