Who is known for the discovery of classical conditioning?

The discovery of classical conditioning is credited to Ivan Pavlov, who conducted pioneering experiments with dogs. In his studies, Pavlov observed that dogs would salivate not only in response to food but also in response to stimuli that were previously associated with the food, such as the sound of a bell. Through this process, Pavlov demonstrated how a neutral stimulus could be paired with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response. This laid the groundwork for understanding how behaviors can be learned through association, a fundamental concept in behavioral psychology.

Pavlov's work has had significant implications, not just in psychology, but also in areas such as education, therapy, and behavior modification, making it a foundational element in the study of learning processes.