The behaviorist approach to psychology ignores mental states and thoughts and instead focuses on observable actions and behaviors. This approach emphasizes the relationship between stimuli and responses, suggesting that behaviors are learned through interactions with the environment. Famous behaviorists include B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson.
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior, encompassing both mental processes and observable actions. It seeks to understand and explain thoughts, feelings, and actions through research and observation.
Skinner believed that psychology should focus on observable behaviors rather than internal mental processes like thoughts and emotions. He emphasized the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior through operant conditioning. Skinner's approach to psychology, known as radical behaviorism, was in contrast to Watson's focus on classical conditioning and the study of reflexes in behavior.
A is for affect (emotion, feeling). Example: AngerB is for behavior (observable event). Example: AggressionC is for cognition (your thoughts, attitudes). Example: Injustice
John Watson believed that psychology should focus on observable behavior rather than inner experiences or thoughts. He emphasized studying how behavior is learned through environmental factors and experiences.
A biological approach to psychology focuses on understanding behavior and mental processes through the lens of genetics, brain structure, and neurochemical processes. It explores how biological factors such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and brain functioning influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior, encompassing both mental processes and observable actions. It seeks to understand and explain thoughts, feelings, and actions through research and observation.
Skinner believed that psychology should focus on observable behaviors rather than internal mental processes like thoughts and emotions. He emphasized the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior through operant conditioning. Skinner's approach to psychology, known as radical behaviorism, was in contrast to Watson's focus on classical conditioning and the study of reflexes in behavior.
A is for affect (emotion, feeling). Example: AngerB is for behavior (observable event). Example: AggressionC is for cognition (your thoughts, attitudes). Example: Injustice
John Watson believed that psychology should focus on observable behavior rather than inner experiences or thoughts. He emphasized studying how behavior is learned through environmental factors and experiences.
A biological approach to psychology focuses on understanding behavior and mental processes through the lens of genetics, brain structure, and neurochemical processes. It explores how biological factors such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and brain functioning influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
John Watson believed that the science of psychology should not include anything that could not be directly observed, recorded, measured. He was against studying concepts of the mind, thoughts, feelings, etc.
The psychodynamic approach in psychology focuses on unconscious thoughts and feelings that influence behavior, stemming from early childhood experiences. It suggests that individuals may not be fully aware of these underlying factors that drive their actions and emotions. Techniques such as psychoanalysis are used to explore and bring to light these unconscious processes.
An example of a hidden variable in psychology is individual differences in personality traits. These traits are not directly observable but can have a significant impact on behavior, thoughts, and emotions. Researchers often use self-report measures or observational methods to indirectly assess these hidden variables.
Cognitive Psychology
Overt behavior in psychology refers to actions that are observable and measurable, such as speaking, walking, or making facial expressions. For example, a person smiling at someone is an overt behavior. In contrast, covert behavior involves internal processes that are not directly observable, such as thoughts, feelings, or intentions. An example of covert behavior is a person feeling anxious about an upcoming exam but not showing any visible signs of their anxiety.
John B. Watson was a pioneer of behaviorism in psychology, shifting the focus from studying conscious thoughts to observable behaviors. He conducted the famous "Little Albert" experiment, demonstrating how emotions could be conditioned through classical conditioning. Watson's work played a significant role in shaping the field of psychology and laid the foundation for behaviorism as a prominent school of thought.
Because psychology is a theoretical science and not an exact science, there are many schools of thoughts, theories, and approaches for students to choose from. Two general ways of dividing the approaches to psychology are a clinical approach and a theoretical approach. Clinical psychology is more of a medical science and cognition, while theoretical psychology is approached through the lens of hypothesis and educated guesses.