Sonu liked to play with balloons, until one day he got frightened by the sound when it burst. From then on, he cries at the sight of balloons. Which of the following theories by psychologists describes this occurrence? 

The given situation involves a previously neutral stimulus (balloon) becoming associated with a frightening experience (burst sound), causing a fear response.

• This aligns with Classical Conditioning, where a neutral stimulus becomes conditioned to trigger a response due to association.

Key Points

• According to Pavlov’s Classical Conditioning, a child like Sonu initially finds balloons harmless.
• However, after experiencing the loud, scary burst, the balloon (neutral stimulus) becomes associated with fear (response).
• Now, even seeing a balloon triggers crying, as it has become a conditioned stimulus. This shows how emotional reactions can be learned through association.

Hint

• The Law of Effect by Thorndike involves learning through consequences of actions.
• Operant Conditioning by Skinner is based on reinforcement and punishment after voluntary behavior.
• Tolman's Sign-Gestalt theory emphasizes goal-directed behavior and cognitive maps, not emotional conditioning.

Hence, the correct answer is classical conditioning by Pavlov.