Behaviorism

Behaviorism is an approach to psychology that focuses on an

individual's behavior. It combines elements of philosophy, methodology, and
theory.
Behaviorism can perhaps be best summed up by the following quote
from the famous psychologist John B. Watson. Watson is often considered the
"father" of behaviorism:
"Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified
world to bring them up in and I'll guarantee to take any one at random and
train him to become any type of specialist I might select -- doctor, lawyer,
artist, merchant-chief and, yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his
talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors."
--John Watson, Behaviorism, 1930
What exactly did Watson mean? Simply put, strict behaviorists believed
that all behaviors were the result of conditioning. Any person, regardless of his
or her background, could be trained to act in a particular manner given the
right conditioning.
The Basics of Behaviorism
So what exactly is behaviorism? What do behavioral theories entail?
Behaviorism, also known as behavioral psychology, is a theory of learning
based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning.
Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists
believe that our responses to environmental stimuli shape our actions.
According to this school of thought, behavior can be studied in a systematic
and observable manner with no consideration of internal mental states. It
suggests that only observable behaviors should be considered since internal
states such as cognitions, emotions, and moods are too subjective.
As Watson's above quote suggests, strict behaviorists believe that any person
could potentially be trained to perform any task, regardless of things like
genetic background, personality traits, and internal thoughts (within the limits
of their physical capabilities). All it takes is the right conditioning.

Two major types of Behavioral conditioning:

Classical conditioning is a technique used in behavioral training in which a
naturally occurring stimulus is paired with a response. Next, a previously
neutral stimulus is paired with the naturally occurring stimulus. Eventually, the
previously neutral stimulus comes to evoke the response without the presence
of the naturally occurring stimulus. The two elements are then known as the
conditioned stimulus and the conditioned response.
Operant conditioning (sometimes referred to as instrumental conditioning) is a
method of learning that occurs through reinforcements and punishments for
behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a
behavior and a consequence for that behavior. When a desirable result
follows an action, the behavior becomes more likely to occur again in the
future. Responses followed by adverse outcomes, on the other hand, become
less likely to happen again in the future.

Theorists and psychologists who influenced Behaviorism:

Ivan Pavlov
B. F. Skinner
Edward Thorndike
John B. Watson
Clark Hull
Important Events in Behaviorism
1863 - Ivan Sechenov's Reflexes of the Brain was published. Sechenov
introduced the concept of inhibitory responses in the central nervous system.
1900 - Ivan Pavlov began studying the salivary response and other reflexes.
1913 - John Watson's Psychology as a Behaviorist Views It was published.
The article outlined many of the main points of behaviorism.
1920 - Watson and assistant Rosalie Rayner conducted the famous "Little
Albert" experiment.
1943 - Clark Hull's Principles of Behavior was published.
1948 - B.F. Skinner published Walden II in which he described a utopian
society founded upon behaviorist principles.
1959 - Noam Chomsky published his criticism of Skinner's behaviorism,
"Review of Verbal Behavior."
1971 - B.F. Skinner published his book Beyond Freedom and Dignity, in which
he argued that free will was an illusion.
Criticisms of Behaviorism

Many critics argue that behaviorism is a one-dimensional approach to

understanding human behavior. They suggest that behavioral theories do not
account for free will and internal influences such as moods, thoughts, and
feelings.
Behaviorism does not account for other types of learning, especially
learning that occurs without the use of reinforcement and punishment.
People and animals can adapt their behavior when new information is
introduced, even if a previous behavior pattern has been established through
reinforcement.
Strengths of Behaviorism
Behaviorism is based on observable behaviors, so it is easier to
quantify and collect data and information when conducting research.
Effective therapeutic techniques such as intensive behavioral intervention,
behavior analysis, token economies, and discrete trial training are all rooted in
behaviorism. These approaches are often very useful in changing maladaptive
or harmful behaviors in both children and adults.
Behaviorism versus Other Schools of Thought
One of the major benefits of behaviorism is that it allowed researchers
to investigate observable behavior in a scientific and systematic manner.
However, it many thinkers believed that it fell short by neglecting some
important influences on behavior. Freud, for example, felt that behaviorism
failed by not accounting for the unconscious mind's thoughts, feelings, and
desires that exert an influence on people's actions. Other thinkers like Carl
Rogers and the other humanistic psychologists believed that behaviorism was
too rigid and limited, failing to take into consideration things like free will.
More recently, biological psychology has emphasized the power that
the brain and genetics play in determining and influencing human actions. The
cognitive school of psychology focuses on mental processes such as thinking,
decision-making, language, and problem-solving. In both cases, behaviorism
neglects these process and influences in favor of studying just observable
behaviors.
Comparison between Humanism and Behaviorism?

 Behaviorism is the school of thought that focuses on the external behavior of

individuals whereas humanism focuses on the individual as a whole.
Behaviorism has a very scientific basis and uses experimentation as a
means of understanding behavior
Humanism, on the other hand, is rather subjective and does not have a very
scientific basis as behaviorism.
Humanism goes beyond behavior and also focuses on the emotions of
human beings.
Humanism rejects the behaviorists assumption of determinism and believes
that humans are agents of free will.
Final Thoughts
While behaviorism is not as dominant today as it was during the middle
of the 20th-century, it remains an influential force in psychology. Outside of
psychology, animal trainers, parents, teachers, and many others make use of
basic behavioral principles to help teach new behaviors and discourage
unwanted ones.