In his classical conditioning experiment, Pavlov's dogs were conditioned to salivate when they

• A. saw their food bowl.
• B. heard the sound of the metronome.
• C. saw their trainers.
• D. smelled their food.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of classical conditioning: Classical conditioning is a learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired. A response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
2. Identify the unconditioned stimulus (US) and unconditioned response (UR): In Pavlov's experiment, the unconditioned stimulus is the food, which naturally causes the dogs to salivate, the unconditioned response.
3. Identify the conditioned stimulus (CS) and conditioned response (CR): The conditioned stimulus is the metronome sound, which initially does not cause salivation. After repeated pairings with the food, the metronome alone causes the dogs to salivate, which is the conditioned response.
4. Recognize the process of acquisition: This is the phase where the metronome sound (CS) is repeatedly paired with the food (US) until the dogs begin to salivate (CR) at the sound of the metronome alone.
5. Differentiate between the stimuli: The key to solving the problem is recognizing that the metronome sound, not the sight of the food bowl, trainers, or the smell of food, is the conditioned stimulus that elicits the conditioned response of salivation.