A funny clip from That 70s Show where Michael provides a unique interpretation of Pavlov’s work on classical conditioning in an attempt to help Eric with his women problems.
This is not the first time that Pavlov has been invoked as a metaphor in popular culture.
The Barenaked Ladies track, ‘Brian Wilson’, has the following verse:
It’s a matter of instinct, it’s a matter of conditioning,
It’s a matter of fact.
You can call me Pavlov’s dog
Ring a bell and I’ll salivate – how’d you like that?
Dr Landy tell me you’re not just a pedagogue,
cause right now I’mLying in bed just like Brian Wilson did…
The Dr Landy referred to in the lyrics was controversial psychologist Eugene Landy, who attempted to ‘treat’ Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson’s mental difficulties (including a not inconsiderable psychosis) by taking control of his career, musical output and other substantial parts of his life.
Unsurprisingly, legal action was eventually taken against Landy and he gave up his license to practice in California.
Link to That 70s Show clip.
Link to obituary of Eugene Landy.
The Office had a very silly recreation of Pavlov’s experiment using altoids and the computer shutdown sound.
Sorry, here’s the link I found:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=1912294931
While insane, Brian Wilson recorded an album called “Sweet Insanity” with Eugene Landy as co-producer, but his label rejected it. WFMU’s blog has a most delightfully terrifying track from said album.