1. Ivan Pavlov is best known for his theory of:
A. Operant Conditioning
B. Classical Conditioning
C. Insight Learning
D. Trial-and-Error Learning
Answer: B. Classical Conditioning
Explanation: Pavlov developed the Classical Conditioning theory, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an automatic response.
2. Pavlov’s classical experiment involved which animal?
A. Rats
B. Cats
C. Dogs
D. Monkeys
Answer: C. Dogs
Explanation: Pavlov used dogs to study how a neutral stimulus (like a bell) could trigger salivation after conditioning.
3. What was the Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) in Pavlov’s experiment?
A. Bell
B. Dog
C. Food
D. Saliva
Answer: C. Food
Explanation: The UCS is something that naturally elicits a response—food naturally causes salivation without learning.
4. What is the Conditioned Stimulus (CS) in Pavlov’s original experiment?
A. Bell
B. Saliva
C. Food
D. Dog
Answer: A. Bell
Explanation: The bell was a previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with food, came to elicit salivation.
5. What is the Unconditioned Response (UCR) in Pavlov’s experiment?
A. Barking
B. Eating
C. Salivating in response to food
D. Running to the bell
Answer: C. Salivating in response to food
Explanation: The UCR is the natural, unlearned reaction to the UCS—salivating when food is presented.
6. The Conditioned Response (CR) is:
A. Salivation in response to bell
B. Salivation in response to food
C. Barking at bell
D. Refusing to eat
Answer: A. Salivation in response to bell
Explanation: After conditioning, the dog salivates when it hears the bell, even without food—this is the CR.
7. Which concept refers to the disappearance of a learned response when the CS is no longer paired with the UCS?
A. Discrimination
B. Generalization
C. Extinction
D. Habituation
Answer: C. Extinction
Explanation: Extinction occurs when the conditioned stimulus (bell) is presented repeatedly without food, and the salivation stops.
8. When a dog salivates to any sound similar to a bell, it is an example of:
A. Discrimination
B. Spontaneous recovery
C. Generalization
D. Reinforcement
Answer: C. Generalization
Explanation: Generalization happens when an organism responds to stimuli similar to the original conditioned stimulus.
9. What is Discrimination in classical conditioning?
A. Response to only the original conditioned stimulus
B. Ignoring the unconditioned stimulus
C. Giving reward after every behavior
D. Forgetting conditioned stimulus
Answer: A. Response to only the original conditioned stimulus
Explanation: Discrimination is the ability to differentiate between the original CS and similar stimuli.
10. What does Spontaneous Recovery mean?
A. Recovery from illness
B. Reappearance of a CR after extinction and rest
C. Losing the conditioned response
D. Creating a new stimulus
Answer: B. Reappearance of a CR after extinction and rest
Explanation: After extinction and a period of rest, the conditioned response can reappear temporarily—this is spontaneous recovery.
11. Pavlov’s experiment laid the foundation for which field of psychology?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Humanistic Psychology
C. Behaviorism
D. Cognitive Psychology
Answer: C. Behaviorism
Explanation: Pavlov’s work emphasized observable behavior, influencing behaviorists like Watson and Skinner.
12. Which of the following is NOT part of Pavlov’s classical conditioning model?
A. Reinforcement
B. Conditioned Response
C. Unconditioned Stimulus
D. Extinction
Answer: A. Reinforcement
Explanation: Reinforcement is part of operant conditioning, not classical conditioning.
13. In Pavlov’s experiment, before conditioning, the bell is:
A. Unconditioned stimulus
B. Conditioned response
C. Neutral stimulus
D. Unconditioned response
Answer: C. Neutral stimulus
Explanation: Initially, the bell has no effect on salivation—it is a neutral stimulus.
14. Which psychologist applied Pavlov’s theory to human emotions in infants?
A. B.F. Skinner
B. Jean Piaget
C. John B. Watson
D. Carl Rogers
Answer: C. John B. Watson
Explanation: Watson used Pavlov’s classical conditioning principles in the Little Albert experiment to condition fear.
15. In educational settings, Pavlov’s theory is most helpful in:
A. Encouraging abstract thinking
B. Shaping emotional and behavioral responses
C. Enhancing creativity
D. Teaching problem-solving
Answer: B. Shaping emotional and behavioral responses
Explanation: Classical conditioning can help teachers shape behavior, manage phobias, and build positive associations in the classroom.
16. Which one is not an assumption of classical conditioning?
A. Learning is based on association
B. Behavior is observable and measurable
C. Mental insight is necessary
D. Stimuli trigger responses
Answer: C. Mental insight is necessary
Explanation: Classical conditioning is behavioral, focusing on observable responses, not internal insight.
17. Pavlov received the Nobel Prize for:
A. Psychology
B. Physiology or Medicine
C. Behavioral Science
D. Animal Training
Answer: B. Physiology or Medicine
Explanation: Pavlov won the Nobel Prize in 1904 for his work on digestive glands, not directly for classical conditioning.
18. In Pavlov’s classical conditioning, learning occurs through:
A. Reward and punishment
B. Observation
C. Association between stimuli
D. Cognitive restructuring
Answer: C. Association between stimuli
Explanation: Learning occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus.
19. The conditioned response in Pavlov’s dog experiment is:
A. Bell ringing
B. Eating the food
C. Salivation to bell
D. Barking at stranger
Answer: C. Salivation to bell
Explanation: After conditioning, the dog salivates to the bell alone—this is the learned response.
20. A student who feels anxious every time the math teacher enters is most likely showing:
A. Operant conditioning
B. Generalization
C. Classical conditioning
D. Extinction
Answer: C. Classical conditioning
Explanation: The student has associated the presence of the teacher (stimulus) with anxiety (response), a classic example of Pavlovian conditioning.
21. In modern classrooms, classical conditioning can be used to:
A. Teach advanced math
B. Build emotional associations with learning
C. Assess cognitive performance
D. Promote operant behavior
Answer: B. Build emotional associations with learning
Explanation: Teachers can pair learning with positive stimuli (e.g., praise, visuals) to develop positive emotional responses.
22. A student who begins to feel anxious whenever tests are handed out is experiencing:
A. Operant conditioning
B. Classical conditioning
C. Observational learning
D. Trial and error
Answer: B. Classical conditioning
Explanation: The test paper (neutral stimulus) has become associated with anxiety (response) through repeated pairings.
23. In behavior therapy, Pavlov’s classical conditioning is used to:
A. Encourage self-actualization
B. Promote dream analysis
C. Treat phobias through desensitization
D. Enhance unconscious drives
Answer: C. Treat phobias through desensitization
Explanation: Systematic desensitization uses classical conditioning to replace fear with relaxation.
24. Which therapeutic technique is based on Pavlovian principles?
A. Rational Emotive Therapy
B. Free Association
C. Systematic Desensitization
D. Cognitive Restructuring
Answer: C. Systematic Desensitization
Explanation: This technique gradually exposes clients to feared stimuli while pairing them with calming responses, reducing anxiety.
25. In classroom discipline, a teacher claps hands (neutral stimulus) before scolding. Over time, students fear the clap. This is:
A. Operant conditioning
B. Cognitive dissonance
C. Classical conditioning
D. Social learning
Answer: C. Classical conditioning
Explanation: The clap becomes a conditioned stimulus, eliciting fear after being paired with scolding.
26. Which of the following best reflects Pavlov’s contribution to modern learning theories?
A. Insight-based problem-solving
B. Focus on unconscious drives
C. Association-based behavioral learning
D. Humanistic approach to learning
Answer: C. Association-based behavioral learning
Explanation: Pavlov laid the foundation of behaviorism by showing how behaviors can be learned via association.
27. The gradual removal of a phobia by repeatedly exposing the patient to it without the fear stimulus is:
A. Flooding
B. Aversion therapy
C. Extinction
D. Discrimination
Answer: C. Extinction
Explanation: If the conditioned stimulus is presented without reinforcement, the conditioned response fades—this is extinction.
28. What is aversive conditioning, based on Pavlovian principles?
A. Teaching by rewards
B. Pairing unwanted behavior with an unpleasant stimulus
C. Ignoring the conditioned response
D. Using insight for problem-solving
Answer: B. Pairing unwanted behavior with an unpleasant stimulus
Explanation: In aversive conditioning, a behavior is discouraged by pairing it with a negative response (e.g., bitter nail polish to stop nail biting).
29. Which one of the following is not an educational implication of classical conditioning?
A. Creating interest in subjects
B. Reducing classroom anxiety
C. Enhancing self-actualization
D. Developing positive learning environments
Answer: C. Enhancing self-actualization
Explanation: Self-actualization is part of humanistic psychology (Maslow), not Pavlov’s classical conditioning.
30. A child who fears injections may start fearing the hospital building. This is an example of:
A. Stimulus generalization
B. Operant behavior
C. Logical inference
D. Habituation
Answer: A. Stimulus generalization
Explanation: The child generalizes the fear of injection to other related stimuli like the hospital environment.
31. In advertising, Pavlovian principles are used to:
A. Analyze consumer behavior
B. Associate products with emotions
C. Create debates
D. Focus on critical thinking
Answer: B. Associate products with emotions
Explanation: Marketers pair products (neutral stimuli) with positive feelings (like music, beauty) to create conditioned emotional responses.
32. Which example best reflects counter-conditioning?
A. Using rewards for correct answers
B. Replacing fear of dogs with feelings of calmness
C. Giving extra homework
D. Asking students to meditate
Answer: B. Replacing fear of dogs with feelings of calmness
Explanation: Counter-conditioning replaces an undesirable response (fear) with a desirable one (calmness), using classical conditioning.
33. Which of the following is a limitation of Pavlov’s theory in modern educational practice?
A. It focuses on motivation
B. It ignores observable behavior
C. It overlooks internal mental processes
D. It emphasizes student emotions
Answer: C. It overlooks internal mental processes
Explanation: Pavlov’s theory does not account for cognition, which is essential in modern constructivist learning theories.
34. Which pair correctly matches with classical conditioning?
A. Skinner – Reinforcement
B. Pavlov – Operant conditioning
C. Kohler – Trial and Error
D. Watson – Cognitive Learning
Answer: A. Skinner – Reinforcement
Explanation: Skinner is known for operant conditioning and reinforcement, while Pavlov is known for classical conditioning.
35. A student begins enjoying mathematics after repeated praise from a teacher. The teacher’s praise is acting as a:
A. Reinforcement
B. Unconditioned response
C. Neutral response
D. Conditioned stimulus
Answer: D. Conditioned stimulus
Explanation: The praise becomes a conditioned stimulus, evoking a positive emotional response associated with math.
36. Modern-day behavior modification techniques trace their roots to:
A. Humanistic psychology
B. Classical and operant conditioning
C. Gestalt psychology
D. Psychoanalysis
Answer: B. Classical and operant conditioning
Explanation: Behavior modification is built upon the association principles of Pavlov and reinforcement strategies of Skinner.
37. In classical conditioning, if a student is repeatedly criticized while reading aloud, they may:
A. Speak better
B. Gain confidence
C. Develop reading anxiety
D. Master fluency
Answer: C. Develop reading anxiety
Explanation: The reading aloud (neutral stimulus) becomes associated with criticism (UCS), leading to anxiety (CR).
38. Pavlov’s research demonstrated that:
A. Animals can reason
B. Behavior is guided by instincts only
C. Reflexive behaviors can be modified through learning
D. All behavior is inherited
Answer: C. Reflexive behaviors can be modified through learning
Explanation: Pavlov showed that automatic responses (like salivation) can be conditioned to occur in new contexts.
39. Which is the correct chronological order in classical conditioning?
A. CS → UCS → CR
B. UCS → CS → UCR
C. CS + UCS → UCR → CR
D. UCS → UCR → CS → CR
Answer: C. CS + UCS → UCR → CR
Explanation: Conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus (CS) is paired with UCS, causing UCR, which over time becomes CR.
40. One criticism of Pavlov’s theory is that it:
A. Focuses too much on mental development
B. Cannot explain involuntary behavior
C. Ignores the role of insight and cognition
D. Only applies to adults
Answer: C. Ignores the role of insight and cognition
Explanation: Classical conditioning is limited to observable responses and does not include internal thought processes.