Pavlov and his dogs

Generalisability

AO1

His initial aim was to learn about the salivation reflex, however his aim then shifted towards exploring conditioned reflexes - classical conditioning response, which explains the role of conditioned reflexes in the eating behaviour of dogs

AO3

The study might lack generalisability due to the fact that Pavlov’s study was completed on dogs, this this cannot be generalised entirely accurately to humans.

Reliability

AO1

He collected saliva from immobilised dogs. This was done in a laboratory so the production of saliva could be easily observed. Pavlov used a metronome (a neutral stimulus that wouldn’t itself elicit a response) and over several learning trials the dog was presented with the ticking metronome sound immediately before the food appeared

AO3

The study uses standardised procedures of the apparatus the dogs were in and documented neutral stimuli. This gives the research the ability to be repeated and retested.

Application

AO1

The neutral stimulus of the metronome did not initially elicit a salivation response from the dogs, however over several learning trials the dogs learned to associate the sound of the ticking metronome with food and responded by salivating

AO3

The applications of this study can be used to explore classical conditioning in humans, for example how we develop phobias, and how aversion therapy can be used to overcome phobias and addiction.

Validity

AO1

AO3

Pavlov’s carefully controlled setting makes his findings objective and scientifically credible. Through his control of extraneous variables by strapping the dogs into the harness and monitoring the stimuli he improves the internal validity of his study. However, the study has low ecological validity as the dogs were kept in very unusual conditions that are not representative of normal interactions.

Ethics