Whereas the neuroscience and psychodynamic approaches look inside the organism
to determine the causes of its behavior, the behavioral perspective takes a very different
approach. The behavioral perspective grew out of a rejection of psychology’s
early emphasis on the inner workings of the mind. Instead, early behaviorists suggested
that the field should focus on observable behavior that can be measured objectively.
John B. Watson was the first major American psychologist to advocate a behavioral
approach. Working in the 1920s, Watson was adamant in his view that one could
gain a complete understanding of behavior by studying and modifying the environment
in which people operate.
In fact, Watson believed rather optimistically that it was possible to elicit any
desired type of behavior by controlling a person’s environment. This philosophy
is clear from his own words: “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”
(Watson, 1924).
The behavioral perspective was championed by B. F. Skinner, a pioneer in the field.
A great deal of our understanding about how people learn new behaviors is based on
the behavioral perspective. As we will see, the behavioral perspective crops up along
every byway of psychology. Along with its influence in the area of learning processes,
this perspective has made contributions in such diverse areas as treating mental
disorders, curbing aggression, resolving sexual problems, and ending drug addiction
(Silverman, Roll, & Higgins, 2008).
to determine the causes of its behavior, the behavioral perspective takes a very different
approach. The behavioral perspective grew out of a rejection of psychology’s
early emphasis on the inner workings of the mind. Instead, early behaviorists suggested
that the field should focus on observable behavior that can be measured objectively.
John B. Watson was the first major American psychologist to advocate a behavioral
approach. Working in the 1920s, Watson was adamant in his view that one could
gain a complete understanding of behavior by studying and modifying the environment
in which people operate.
In fact, Watson believed rather optimistically that it was possible to elicit any
desired type of behavior by controlling a person’s environment. This philosophy
is clear from his own words: “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”
(Watson, 1924).
The behavioral perspective was championed by B. F. Skinner, a pioneer in the field.
A great deal of our understanding about how people learn new behaviors is based on
the behavioral perspective. As we will see, the behavioral perspective crops up along
every byway of psychology. Along with its influence in the area of learning processes,
this perspective has made contributions in such diverse areas as treating mental
disorders, curbing aggression, resolving sexual problems, and ending drug addiction
(Silverman, Roll, & Higgins, 2008).
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