John B. Watson

Definition

John B. Watson was an American psychologist best known for founding behaviorism, a psychological approach that emphasizes observable behaviors rather than internal mental states. He believed that psychology should be a science based on measurable and observable behavior, laying the groundwork for experimental and correlational research methods in psychology.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Watson's emphasis on observable behavior marked a shift from introspective methods, which focused on internal thoughts and feelings.
2. He conducted the Little Albert experiment in 1920, which showed that fear could be conditioned in infants, challenging previous beliefs about emotional development.
3. Watson argued that environment plays a crucial role in shaping behavior, famously stating, 'Give me a dozen healthy infants...and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist.'
4. His work laid the foundation for future research methods in psychology, including experiments and correlational studies, that sought to establish relationships between variables.
5. Despite his significant contributions to psychology, Watson's theories faced criticism for neglecting cognitive processes and the complexity of human emotions.

Review Questions

• How did John B. Watson's views on psychology differ from those of earlier psychologists?
  • Watson's views marked a significant departure from earlier psychologists who emphasized introspection and internal mental states. He proposed that psychology should focus solely on observable behaviors that can be measured objectively. This behavioral approach led to the rejection of subjective methods in favor of empirical research, thereby establishing behaviorism as a dominant force in psychology.
• What are the implications of Watson's Little Albert experiment for understanding the development of fears and phobias?
  • The Little Albert experiment demonstrated that fears could be conditioned through associative learning, implying that phobias may not only stem from personal experiences but can also be acquired through environmental influences. This finding has profound implications for understanding anxiety disorders and treatment methods, as it highlights the importance of environmental factors in shaping emotional responses.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of Watson's behaviorism on contemporary psychological research and practice.
  • Watson's behaviorism significantly shaped contemporary psychological research by promoting experimental methods that focus on observable behavior. While his strict behaviorist approach has evolved with the incorporation of cognitive perspectives, the fundamental principles laid down by Watson still influence areas such as applied behavior analysis and therapeutic practices. The ongoing debate between behaviorism and cognitive psychology illustrates the complexity of understanding human behavior, showcasing how Watson's legacy continues to inform modern psychological thought.

Related terms

Behaviorism: A psychological perspective that focuses on the study of observable behaviors and the ways they are learned and reinforced.

Classical Conditioning: A learning process first described by Ivan Pavlov, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Little Albert Experiment: A famous experiment conducted by Watson and Rosalie Rayner demonstrating that emotional responses could be conditioned in humans using a child known as Little Albert.