Who is most famously associated with classical conditioning?

Ivan Pavlov is most famously associated with classical conditioning due to his pioneering work in the field of behavioral psychology, specifically illustrated through his experiments with dogs. Pavlov discovered that dogs would salivate not only at the sight of food but also at the sound of a bell that had been associated with the presentation of food. This observation led him to formulate the concept of classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus (the bell) became paired with an unconditioned stimulus (food), resulting in a conditioned response (salivation).

Pavlov's research laid the groundwork for understanding how behaviors can be learned and modified through associations, which has had a lasting influence on both psychology and various therapeutic practices. His methodology emphasized the importance of empirical observation in psychology, distinguishing it from more subjective or introspective methods. This foundational work is why he is often credited as the key figure in classical conditioning.