Pavlov's Dog Experiment Variables

Question

I have an assignment asking me for the variables regarding Pavlov's dog and classical conditioning. What would the IV be, and what would 2 levels of that IV in this experiment be?? If the DV is the dog's salivation, then what would the levels of the IV be??

Answer 1

Hi Katie!

So, the independent variable (IV) is something that predicts change within a observed dependent variable (DV). In Pavlov's case, the observed/measured variable is the dog's salivation (DV) because this is what he was trying to observe happening or not happening; therefore, the two levels would be salivation either occurring or not occurring.

As for the IV, what you can ask yourself is "What is causing the salivation to occur?" After he classically conditioned the dogs, they associated the bell ringing with food being presented. Thus, the IV would be the ringing of the bell, and its levels would be either ringing or not ringing.

I hope this helps!