Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

Who developed the model of classical conditioning?

1. Albert Bandura

2. Aaron Beck

3. Pavlov

4. BF Skinner

The correct answer is: Pavlov

The model of classical conditioning was developed by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist. Pavlov's work with dogs led to the discovery of an associative learning process in which a neutral stimulus, when paired repeatedly with an unconditioned stimulus that naturally elicits a response, can eventually trigger that response on its own. This foundational concept illustrates how behaviors can be learned through association. For instance, in Pavlov's experiments, he conditioned dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell by repeatedly presenting the bell sound in conjunction with feeding them. Over time, the dogs began to salivate merely upon hearing the bell, demonstrating the principles of classical conditioning. This understanding has had profound implications for behavioral psychology, influencing various approaches to therapy and understanding human and animal behavior.