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Behavioral theories for the causation of mental disorders, especially neurotic symptoms, are based upon learning theory, which was in turn largely derived from the study of the behavior of animals in laboratory settings. Most important theories in this area arose out of the work of Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov and several American psychologists, such as Edward L. Thorndike, Clark L. Hull, John B. Watson, Edward C. Tolman, and B.F. Skinner. In the classical Pavlovian model of conditioning, an unconditioned stimulus is followed by an appropriate response; for example, food placed in a dog’s mouth is followed by the dog salivating. ...(100 of 23131 words)