Which experiment did Pavlov conduct to illustrate classical conditioning?

Pavlov's experiment that illustrated classical conditioning involved feeding dogs while simultaneously ringing a bell. In this classic study, Pavlov observed that the dogs would naturally salivate in response to food. However, he noted that after repeatedly pairing the sound of the bell with the presentation of food, the dogs began to salivate at the sound of the bell alone, even when no food was presented. This demonstrated the process of classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus (the bell) becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus (the food) to elicit a conditioned response (salivation).

This experiment is foundational in understanding how learning occurs through associations. Pavlov's work provides essential insight into behavioral responses and has had far-reaching implications in psychology and behavior analysis. By demonstrating that a learned response can be triggered by a previously neutral stimulus, Pavlov set the stage for further research into associative learning and behavior modification.