The first experimental studies of associative learning were conducted by
A John B. Watson.
B Rosalie Rayner.
C B. F. Skinner.
D Ivan Pavlov.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is D. Ivan Pavlov.
Explanation:
Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist, is widely recognized for his pioneering experimental studies of associative learning, particularly through his work on classical conditioning. His research initially focused on the digestive system, specifically studying the salivary reflex in dogs. While conducting these studies, Pavlov made a critical observation that would lead him to his groundbreaking work on learning.
Pavlov found that dogs would salivate not only when food was placed in their mouths but also when they saw the laboratory assistant who typically fed them, or even when they heard footsteps associated with the delivery of food. This led him to hypothesize that animals could learn to associate neutral stimuli (like the sound of footsteps or a bell) with biologically significant events (like being fed). He set out to test this theory through a series of controlled experiments.
In these experiments, Pavlov used a neutral stimulus, such as the sound of a bell, and paired it repeatedly with the unconditioned stimulus (food) that naturally elicited an unconditioned response (salivation). After several pairings, the neutral stimulus (the bell) began to elicit the salivation response on its own, now called a conditioned response. This phenomenon is known as classical conditioning.
Pavlov’s work demonstrated that organisms can learn associations between stimuli, a key insight into understanding behavior. His research laid the foundation for much of modern psychology, particularly in the study of learning and behaviorism. His concepts of conditioned and unconditioned stimuli and responses became central to the study of associative learning.
While other figures, like John B. Watson and B. F. Skinner, contributed to the field of learning theory, it was Pavlov’s experiments with dogs that formed the basis for much of what we now understand about associative learning and conditioning.