How did john Watson's work influence Edward Thorndike in behavioral counselling?

Answer 1

John Watson's emphasis on behaviorism and the idea that psychology should focus on observable behavior rather than internal processes influenced Edward Thorndike's approach to behavioral counseling. Watson's rejection of introspection and his insistence on empirical methods encouraged Thorndike to develop his theories on learning and conditioning, particularly the Law of Effect, which posits that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are likely to be repeated. This laid the groundwork for applying behavioral principles in counseling, emphasizing reinforcement and observable behavior change. Thorndike’s work thus contributed to the evolution of practical behavioral techniques in therapeutic settings.