Definitions

1. adjective

relating to or resembling the conditioned reflex first demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov, in which a stimulus that originally has no effect on an organism comes to elicit a response as a result of its association with a stimulus that already elicits a response.

“The psychologist’s research on human behavior was influenced by Pavlovian principles.”

2. noun

a conditioned reflex, especially one of the type first demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov.

“The therapist used Pavlovian techniques to help patients overcome phobias.”