_____ pioneered the empirical study of the basic principles of classical conditioning.

• A. B. F. Skinner
• B. John B. Watson
• C. Edward L. Thorndike
• D. Ivan Pavlov

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key concept in the question, which is 'classical conditioning'.
2. Understand that classical conditioning is a learning process that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus.
3. Recognize that Ivan Pavlov is the psychologist known for his work on classical conditioning, particularly through his experiments with dogs, where he demonstrated how a neutral stimulus, when paired with an unconditioned stimulus, can eventually elicit a conditioned response.
4. Differentiate between the psychologists listed: B. F. Skinner is known for operant conditioning, John B. Watson is known for behaviorism and applying classical conditioning to humans, and Edward L. Thorndike is known for the law of effect and work on operant conditioning.
5. Conclude that Ivan Pavlov is the correct answer as he is the one who pioneered the empirical study of classical conditioning.