Which idea is NOT one of Ivan Pavlov's major contributions to the field of psychology?

• A. Demonstrating learning through association
• B. The concept of conditioned reflexes
• C. Identifying the process of stimulus generalization
• D. The discovery of operant conditioning

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand Ivan Pavlov's major contributions to psychology, which primarily involve classical conditioning, a learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, eliciting a conditioned response.
2. Step 2: Recognize that Pavlov demonstrated learning through association by pairing a neutral stimulus (like a bell) with an unconditioned stimulus (like food) to produce a conditioned reflex (salivation).
3. Step 3: Identify that Pavlov introduced the concept of conditioned reflexes, which are automatic responses developed through conditioning rather than innate reflexes.
4. Step 4: Note that Pavlov also studied stimulus generalization, where a conditioned response is elicited by stimuli similar to the original conditioned stimulus.
5. Step 5: Understand that operant conditioning, which involves learning through consequences (rewards and punishments), was discovered by B.F. Skinner, not Pavlov, making it the idea that is NOT one of Pavlov's contributions.