Ivan Petrovich Pavlov was a Russian physiologist whose research on physiology of the digestion led to the development of his first experimental model of learning, the psychological phenomenon referred to as “conditioned response”. Classical Conditioning was created from his research on the studying of dogs salivating, to be more precise the secretion of digestive enzymes. In Ryazan, Russia Ivan Pavlov was born on September 14th 1849. He was from a large family and his father Peter Dmitrievich Pavlov was a poor village priest but Pavlov inherited his father’s characteristics to succeed.
While studying a career in theology he was introduced to the works of Charles Darwin and Ivan Sechenov, Pavlov abandon his theological studies for science and transfers to the University of St Petersburg to gain knowledge in natural science majoring in animal physiology and chemistry as his minor. After graduating he obtained his doctorate in 1883 from the Medical Military Academy. Pavlov respected a physiologist Ellie Cyon who advised he should continue studies of the nerves to the pancreas, and identify what stimulates the secretion of its digestive juices.
This led to awards and his travel aboard to study with two of the greatest physiologist of that time Carl Ludwig in Leipzip and Rudolph Heidenhain in Breslau. In 1890 Pavlov was appointed Professor of Pharmacology at the Military Medical Academy he also organized and directed the department of Physiology at the Institute of Experimental Medicine which he continued until his death 45 years later, this institute became the most important centre for physiological research.
It was here he developed a surgical method on dogs that allowed him to insert small stomach pouches to measure the dogs secretion of gastric juices when eating, which he used to continue his investigative studies on the nervous and the digestive system which allowed the organs to be observed in relatively normal conditions. 1904 was awarded the Noble Prize for his work in physiology and medicine.