Who conducted early research into classical conditioning by conditioning dogs with ringing bells and saliva?

Who conducted early research into classical conditioning by conditioning dogs with ringing bells and saliva?

• A. John Watson
• B. Ivan Pavlov
• C. B. F. Skinner
• D. Edward Thorndike

Answer: (B)

Classical conditioning is illustrated by Ivan Pavlov’s early work with dogs. He rang a bell before presenting food, and the dogs eventually salivated at the sound of the bell alone. Here, food is an unconditioned stimulus that naturally triggers salivation, an unconditioned response. The bell starts as a neutral stimulus, but after repeated pairings with the food, it becomes a conditioned stimulus that elicits salivation—the conditioned response—even without food. This shows how an association between two stimuli can produce learning. The other researchers focused on different learning ideas. Watson helped establish behaviorism by studying how humans can develop conditioned emotional responses, like fear. Skinner explored operant conditioning, emphasizing how behavior is shaped by consequences. Thorndike studied trial-and-error learning and the law of effect using puzzle boxes.

Classical conditioning is illustrated by Ivan Pavlov’s early work with dogs. He rang a bell before presenting food, and the dogs eventually salivated at the sound of the bell alone. Here, food is an unconditioned stimulus that naturally triggers salivation, an unconditioned response. The bell starts as a neutral stimulus, but after repeated pairings with the food, it becomes a conditioned stimulus that elicits salivation—the conditioned response—even without food. This shows how an association between two stimuli can produce learning.

The other researchers focused on different learning ideas. Watson helped establish behaviorism by studying how humans can develop conditioned emotional responses, like fear. Skinner explored operant conditioning, emphasizing how behavior is shaped by consequences. Thorndike studied trial-and-error learning and the law of effect using puzzle boxes.