Arguments For Behaviorism

Behaviorism is a psychological approach that combines the elements of theory, philosophy and methodology. Behaviorism refers to that school of psychology that was founded by Watson. It was basically based on the assumption or belief that it is possible to change, train and measure behaviors (Drisoll, 2000). Behaviorism is a psychological school of thought that was established when Watson published his classic paper "Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It" (1913). The terms behaviorism is, therefore, that psychological perspective whose its explanations about learning are actually based on the relationship that exists between the events in the environment and behaviors that can be observed rather than on internal processes. It came up in the early 20th century basically as a reaction to the "mentalistic" psychology, which often was incapable of making predictions that rigorous experimental methods could be a test (Watson, 2008).

Behaviorism is a type of psychology and a theory of learning. Behaviorism mainly involves experimentation and observation. It doesn’t look into internal thoughts like thinking or emotions. What behaviorism believes that people have no free will and our surrounding and our environment determine our behavior. As we release our very first breath to this world, our brain is in a blank state. Which is ready to learn from what surrounds us in our environment. So behaviorism deals with the behavior modification.

Therefore, it is not necessary to invent hidden processes of learning (e.g.. Freud) to explain why behavior happens. The behaviorists believed that behavior is caused by environmental events (stimuli, reinforcers). With this idea, it cannot be controlled. Behaviorism is deterministic, as we do not control our own actions, and so therefore cannot be responsible for them. However, it becomes possible for others to control our behavior by manipulation of environmental events (Vancouver 2001). Behaviorism assumes that human behavior should be studied using the same methods applied in the physical sciences - that assuming psychology should restrict itself to studying only those things that can be studied directly. In this way, it means that anything that cannot be observed cannot be studied and that w cannot fully explain human behavior and the complications behind it. Williams (2002) added that although stimuli, response and reinforcement are essential in behaviorist explanation of behavior, they are

Behaviorism is a scientific approach that humans and animals behavior can be studied and explained through examination, and shows how psychologists view different behaviors. Behaviorisms believes that learners behavior starts shaping through “stimulus – responses” (Behaviorism, 2007), and positive reinforcement (by giving rewards), or negative

Behaviorism has its roots as far back as the ancient Greeks. Hippocrates (460-377 BCE), known as the father of medicine, developed humorism consisting of four humors that corresponded with four temperaments. Physicians and philosophers used this model with its four temperaments for many long years.

Behaviorism concerns primarily with observable behavior, rather than thinking or feeling. It focuses on external/observable behavior that can be measured objectively.

Behaviorism is the scientific approach to psychology that is distinguished by logical-theoretical emphasis as is seeks to develop reasons for behavior (Moore, 2013). The theory of Behaviorism was developed by John B. Watson and B. F. Skinner. Uniquely, this theory states that personality is plastic and can be shaped by the environment or situational influences. Another difference from previous thoughts is

Behaviorism is one of the perspectives used to help get a better understanding of people. John B. Watson, an American psychologist, founded behaviorism while studying people. While others studied the conscious experience, Watson studied behavior. He switched the study of psychology

John B. Watson (1878-1958), not to be confused with John H. Watson from Sherlock Holmes’ fame, left an indelible mark on the field of psychology. Prior to Watson, psychologists and philosophers theorized about internal, or mental, processes and consciousness. Myers (2013) states, “Watson urged his colleagues to discard reference to inner thoughts, feelings, and motives” (p. 268), and instead, “limit ourselves to things that can be observed…[i.e.] behavior—what the organism does or says” (Watson, as cited in Berger, 2014, p. 42). Watson’s views, along with Pavlov’s and Bechterev’s, would launch the behavioral school of psychology. The radical behaviorism Watson believed would not allow him to study or theorize about internal experiences such as emotions and their influence on thinking and behavior.

Behaviourism, also known as the behaviouristic approach is based on several underlying assumptions regarding methodology and behavioural analysis. Behaviourists believe that psychology should be seen as a science and therefore theories must be proved using controlled experiments whilst observing behaviour. Behaviourism is mainly concerned with observable behaviour rather than internal processes such as emotions. The psychodynamic approach to psychology is in complete contrast to that of the behavioural approach. Psychodynamic theorists look for the causes of behaviour in a dynamic interplay of inner motivational forces that often conflict with one another.

Behaviorism is the theory that human and animal behavior can be explained in terms of conditioning, without appeal to thoughts or feelings, and that psychological disorders are best

Behaviorism is “the view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes” (Myers, 2011, p. 6). John Watson believed that science is based upon observation. Therefore, Watson developed behaviorism based upon the idea that while you cannot observe a feeling or thought of a person, you can observe their reactions

Kimble, (2000) defined behaviorism as any psychology that views its necessity as the understanding of behavior and accepts stimuli (situations and responses). That if behaviorism wants to be a science it must take on some form of that approach aiming at comprehending observable events in the world, and the only such events available to psychology are responses and the situations in which the occur.

Psychology is made up of many perspectives, such as, behavioural, biological, cognitive, social, humanistic and finally, psychodynamic. This essay will focus on the behavioural perspective and the biological perspective. According to J Walker (2012) the behavioural perspective is based on behaviourism and is the study of observing behaviour when in certain contexts and events. The biological perspective however, explains behaviour by focusing on the function of the nervous system, genes and the brain.

Behaviorism has often been described as too predictable, for neglecting the role of internal states including memory, emotions, thoughts, and motivation in individuals’ behavior. Similarly, behaviorism postulates that all behaviors can be observed when in fact subjective processes such as thinking, and feeling are subjective measures. The method of introspection is also rejected by proponents of behaviorism despite its importance in understanding individuals subjective experience of phenomena. For instance, how individuals perceive the experience of having a headache. Furthermore, the role of biological influences on individuals’ behaviors is neglected