What Is Behaviorism?
By Kendra Cherry, About.com Guide
John B. 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 beggarman and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and
race of his ancestors.
--John Watson, Behaviorism, 1930
The term behaviorism refers to the school of psychology founded by John B. Watson
based on the belief that behaviors can be measured, trained, and changed. Behaviorism
was established with the publication of Watson's classic paper Psychology as the
Behaviorist Views It (1913).
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 shapes our behaviors.
According to behaviorism, behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable
manner with no consideration of internal mental states. This school of thought suggests
that only observable behaviors should be studied, since internal states such as
cognitions, emotions and moods are too subjective.
There are two major types of conditioning:
1. 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.
2. Operant conditioning Operant conditioning (sometimes referred to as instrumental
conditioning) is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments
for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a
behavior and a consequence for that behavior.
Major Thinkers in Behaviorism
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Ivan Pavlov
B. F. Skinner
Edward Thorndike
John B. Watson
Clark Hull
Important Events in Behaviorism
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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 the 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 is an illusion.
Criticisms of Behaviorism
 Many critics argue that behaviorism is a one-dimensional approach to
understanding human behavior and that behavioral theories do not account for free
will and internal influences such as moods, thoughts and feelings.
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 Behaviorism does not account for other types of learning, especially learning that
occurs without the use of reinforcement and punishment.
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 People and animals are able to adapt their behavior when new information is
introduced, even if a previous behavior pattern has been established through
reinforcement.
Strengths of Behaviorism
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Behaviorism is based upon 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.
Final Thoughts
While behaviorism is not as dominant today as it was during the middle of the 20thcentury, it still 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.
Article Questions
1. Read the quote at the beginning of the article. What do you think John Watson is trying to say
about society and how we become the people we are today? Do you think the following quote is
accurate? Give examples to support your opinion.
2. What do behavioral psychologists believe? What is the main premise behind their theory?
3. Define classical and operant conditioning. Can you think of examples where you have
trained/behaved based on either? (think fears, commercials-appetites, rewards/punishments, learning
skills in steps, the ringing bell at this school)
4. Can you train your behavior? Can you change what you are used to doing on regular basis? Ie why
do we always sit in the same seats we sit-we are creatures of habit! Can you quit smoking, begin
exercising, start studying more…How much behavior can we/should we change??
5. What are the criticisms of behaviorist theories?
6. Why do we study behaviorism? What are the practical applications? Where is it used?