Discoverers of Classical Conditioning

Introduction

There is little doubt that behaviorism had a substantial impact on American psychology. It produced some of the most notable luminaries in Skinner and Watson, as well as being a dominant force in twentieth-century research. These behaviorists utilized Pavlov’s basic dictum as a guiding precept throughout their scientific lives (Goodwin, 2008). Pavlov is credited with establishing the fundamental concepts of classical conditioning. He was not, however, the first physiologist to find it. This paper investigates Sechenov’s contributions.

Investigating Sechenov’s Contributions

Ivan Pavlov was the first physiologist to investigate the features of classical conditioning in depth. He was not, however, the first to discover the conditioned response. Aristotle’s laws of association predicted the precept of conditioning. J. A. Unzer and R. Whytt put in place the foundations for the principle of reflex action (Ikiugu, & Ciaravino, 2007). Moreover, Whytt discovered psychic secretions long before Pavlov. More importantly, Pavlov worked within the conditioning framework put forth by their teacher Ivan Sechenov. Sechenov used the words psychic reflexes and construed an individual’s voluntary behavior reflexively. Pavlov admitted the significance of having read the work of Sechenov as he started to learn about psychic processes through physiological means.

Behaviorism Stemming from Objective Psychology

While Ivan Pavlov is credited for laying the foundation of condition, he is not alone responsible. Before Pavlov discovered behaviorist approach, there were psychologists that influenced and shaped behaviorist ideas. Behaviorism actually stemmed from objective psychology whose pioneer was Ivan M Schenov. This psychologist attributed the cause of behavior to external stimulation. He believed that the initial cause of an action is an external stimulus. He saw behavior as being reflexive since it came from the brain’s physiological process. Schevov proposed that inquiry in psychology should be pursued employing techniques of physiology (Ikiugu, & Ciaravino, 2007). Pavlov agreed with Schenov and attempted to use the ideas of Schenov by taking physiological perspective to study behavior. Pavlov prepared the gastric fistula from the digestive system of the dog outside of its body. He also studied gastric activities employing the fistula. He succeeded to institutionalize complex controls in a lab and gradually set up an excellent research environment. Pavlov was particularly thorough in establishing an antiseptic medium for his procedures, creating an environment which greatly reduced infection (Goodwin, 2008). This research resulted in the development of classical conditioning concepts.

Similarities between Sechenov and Pavlov

Like Sechenov, Pavlov noted that there are inhibitory and excitatory processes within the central nervous system and that all behavior may be described through the excitation and inhibition of reflexes (Goodwin, 2008). Schenov noted that physiology could be used to study psychology. He also denied that thoughts have a hand in behavior.

Pavlov’s Contributions in Behaviorism

Pavlov was credited not because of his psychological work but for perfecting several surgical methods that made it possible to study the physiology of digestion on live animals. Pavlov’s objective research on reflexes and conditioning eventually created a crucial model for modern behaviorist scientists (Goodwin, 2008). This is one of the reasons Sechenov did not take credit for his work in psychology.

Lack of Recognition for Sechenov

Another reason Sechenov is not credited is that he lacked responses and support to explore his studies to the limits. Sechenov did not receive support and funding from the government. Sechenov had limited influence but he did inspire the next generation of psychologists. By contrast, Pavlov enjoyed support and funding despite the chaotic situation of the time. The Russian government supported his research efforts in the hope that his conditioning could help learn to condition behaviors.

Conclusion

While Pavlov laid the foundational principles of classical conditioning, the reflex action was discovered a century before him. Among the contributors to this concept was none other than Ivan Sechenov. However, there are reasons why Pavlov and not Sechenov took credit.

References

Goodwin, C. J. (2008). A history of modern psychology (3rd Edn). Hoboken, NJ/ Wiley & Sons.

Ikiugu, M. N., & Ciaravino, E. A. (2007). Psychosocial conceptual practice models in occupational therapy: Building adaptive capability. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby Elsevier.