pavlovian

comparative more pavlovian · superlative most pavlovian

1. alternativeAlternative form of Pavlovian.

1. not comparableOf or relating to the theories of the Russian physiologist, psychologist, and physician Ivan Petrovich Pavlov, especially those related to behavioral conditioning.

   A mere glance at the plot descriptions of the show’s fourth season is enough to induce Pavlovian giggle fits and shivers of joy.

   2012 May 20, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Marge Gets A Job” (season 4, episode 7; originally aired 11/05/1992)”, in The Onion AV Club

   1 more example

   Most people know very less about non-depressive mental breakdowns influenced by heavy stress. But there is at least one exception, involving the work of Pavlov when he was in his 70s or 80s. Pavlov had won a Nobel Prize early in life by using dogs to work out the psychology of digestion. Then he became world famous by working out mere-association responses in dogs, initially salivating dogs——so much that changes in behavior triggered by mere association, like those caused by much modern advertisement, are today often said to come from "Pavlovian" conditioning.

   2005, Peter D. Kaufman, from Charlie Munger, Poor Charlie's Almanack, The Donning Company Publishers, page 335

plural Pavlovians

1. A proponent of Pavlov's theories.