Final answer:
The bell-and-pad method involves psychologists pairing bladder tension with a stimulus that awakens children to treat bed-wetting, utilizing principles of classical conditioning.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the bell-and-pad method of treating bed-wetting in children, psychologists repeatedly pair tension in the bladder with a stimulus that awakens them. This treatment modality is grounded in the principles of classical conditioning, similar to the Pavlovian response, where an unconditioned stimulus (in Pavlov's case, food, leading to drooling) is paired with a conditioned stimulus (the bell). In the context of bed-wetting treatment, the sensation of a full bladder (the unconditioned stimulus) is paired with the ringing of a bell (the conditioned stimulus), which is triggered by a pad that detects moisture. Through repeated associations, the child learns to wake up in response to the sensation of bladder fullness before bed-wetting occurs. This learning process teaches children to recognize and respond to the need to urinate by waking up and heading to the bathroom, thus preventing the bed-wetting event.