Ivan Pavlov was a renowned Russian physiologist whose work on the physiology of digestion contributed to the development of classical conditioning theory. Pavlov got born in 1849 and died in 1936 (Rathus, 2010). He studied to become a physiologist at the University of St. Petersburg. Primarily, Pavlov got focused on studying physiology and the natural sciences. It is through his works in the field of physiology that played crucial roles to the development of psychological theories. Classical conditioning got to be the first model of learning. Most of his work gets based on the field of classical conditioning and conditioned reflexes (Rathus, 2010).
Through Pavlov’s digestive research, he got to note of the reflexive responses produced by his experimental subjects, which were dogs. He noted their behaviour and reactions under different stimuli. He learned on how conditioned responses get acquired. Through this experimental process, classical conditioning theory got developed. His work would later play a vital role in the field of behavioural psychology (Rathus, 2010).
Pavlov’s work in developing the classical conditioning theory gets to be greatly revered in the history of psychology (Rathus, 2010). His work founded the field of present day behavioural psychology. The conditioning process developed by Pavlov still remains in existence as it gets used for numerous applications. Classical conditioning provides the root for mental health treatment and behaviour modification. Classical conditioning gets used to treat panic disorders, anxiety and phobias (Rathus, 2010). Not only does Pavlov’s work get used as treatment, but it has also provided ground for further research. Many researchers in the field of psychology get to cite Pavlov’s work as they undertake various research projects.
Reference
Rathus, S. A. (2010). PSYCHOLOGY, CONCEPTS & CONNECTIONS, BRIEF EDITION:.
New York: Cengage Learning.
