Which of the following experiments is a classic example of the use of classical conditioning?

• A. Skinner's box experiment with rats pressing a lever for food
• B. Pavlov's experiment with dogs salivating in response to a bell
• C. Kohler's chimpanzee insight experiment with stacked boxes
• D. Bandura's Bobo doll experiment on observational learning

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of classical conditioning, which is a learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response. This was first described by Ivan Pavlov.
2. Step 2: Identify the key features of classical conditioning: an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., food) naturally produces an unconditioned response (e.g., salivation), and a neutral stimulus (e.g., bell) is paired repeatedly with the unconditioned stimulus until the neutral stimulus alone elicits a similar response (now called the conditioned response).
3. Step 3: Review each experiment option to see which one fits this pattern: Skinner's box involves operant conditioning (learning through consequences), Kohler's chimpanzee experiment involves insight learning, and Bandura's Bobo doll experiment involves observational learning.
4. Step 4: Recognize that Pavlov's experiment with dogs salivating in response to a bell perfectly exemplifies classical conditioning, as the bell (neutral stimulus) was paired with food (unconditioned stimulus) to produce salivation (conditioned response).
5. Step 5: Conclude that the classic example of classical conditioning among the options is Pavlov's experiment with dogs.