Attributed to Bub
Pavlov’s Dog
On the predictable enthusiasm of conditioned organisms.
Filed under: Conditioning · Stimulus-Response · Experimental Appetite
Conditioning is not mysterious.
It is repetitive.
Given sufficient pairing of sound and sustenance, expectation forms.
Given sufficient repetition, expectation becomes policy.
Pavlov’s experiment is often described as proof that dogs can be trained.
This is incorrect.
The dog required no instruction.
It merely confirmed what hunger had already arranged.
The true revelation was not canine compliance.
It was human delight in discovering that behavior can be scheduled.
Rings produce salivation.
Notifications produce attention.
The organism adapts; the bell persists.
“Of COURSE Pavlov proved learning is associative; but the DOG proved humans are easy to program!”
“Of COURSE Pavlov’s bell worked every time; it’s just a clapper and a sound bow!”
“Of COURSE the dog didn’t need to be hungry; what dog needs MOTIVATION to eat?!”
Filed under
Conditioning · Stimulus-Response · Experimental Appetite
Related Holdings
The bell rings regardless of belief.
Salivation is therefore cooperative.