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Classical conditioning is a mechanism that is thought by many [[psychologists|Psychology]], particularly [[behaviorists|Behaviorism]], to explain human behavior.  The best-known experiments in classical conditioning were conducted by the [[Russian|Russia]] physiologist and psychologist, [[Ivan Pavlov]], and [[American]] psychologist [[John Watson]], who is remembered as the "father of behaviorism".  Classical conditioning traditionally is thought to explain behaviors and physiological functions that are largely involuntary, whereas [[operant conditioning]] explains voluntary behavior.

Classical conditioning is a mechanism that is thought by many [[Psychology|psychologists]], particularly [[Behaviorism|behaviorists]], to explain human behavior.  The best-known experiments in classical conditioning were conducted by the [[Russia|Russian]] physiologist and psychologist, [[Ivan Pavlov]], and [[American]] psychologist [[John Watson]], who is remembered as the "father of behaviorism".  Classical conditioning traditionally is thought to explain behaviors and physiological functions that are largely involuntary, whereas [[operant conditioning]] explains voluntary behavior.

Pavlov's studies were conducted at the end of the 19th century.  While conducting research on digestion in animals, Pavlov realized that dogs automatically salivated when food was present.  He then paired the presence of food with a bell.  Pavlov repeatedly paired these two stimuli such that the bell was sounded shortly before the food was present.  He then found that sounding the bell alone also produced salivation.  In classical conditioning terminology, the food is referred to as an ''unconditioned stimulus'' and the bell as a ''conditioned stimulus''.  Salivation in response to the presence of food is called an ''unconditioned response'', whereas salivation in response to the bell alone is a ''conditioned response''.

Pavlov's studies were conducted at the end of the 19th century.  While conducting research on digestion in animals, Pavlov realized that dogs automatically salivated when food was present.  He then paired the presence of food with a bell.  Pavlov repeatedly paired these two stimuli such that the bell was sounded shortly before the food was present.  He then found that sounding the bell alone also produced salivation.  In classical conditioning terminology, the food is referred to as an ''unconditioned stimulus'' and the bell as a ''conditioned stimulus''.  Salivation in response to the presence of food is called an ''unconditioned response'', whereas salivation in response to the bell alone is a ''conditioned response''.