Behaviorism: Evolution, Theorists, and Impact on Psychology

Running head: BEHAVIORISM
Behaviorism
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1BEHAVIORISM
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to analyze the concept of behaviorism and its evolution over the years.
The concept of behaviorism was first introduced by Watson in the year 1913, and has rendered
itself to a lot of discussion and criticism. Several theorists since then have developed upon the
theories of behaviorism and have even devised their own models and frameworks. In the paper
below, the origin of behaviorism has been analyzed along with the role of two theorists who have
contributed to its development. In addition, the position of behaviorism as a second force in
psychology has also been studied.

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Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................3
Discussion:.......................................................................................................................................3
Origin of behaviorism..................................................................................................................3
Behaviorism as the second force of psychology..........................................................................5
Two theorists who contributed to behaviorism...........................................................................9
Conclusion:....................................................................................................................................11
References:....................................................................................................................................12

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Introduction:
Behaviorism is a theory in psychology pertaining to the understanding of human and
animal psychology. It is based on the principle that all human actions and responses are reflexes
and occur as reactions to various stimuli present in the surrounding environment (Ertmer &
Newby, 2013). In other words, this scientific approach asserts that a person acts in a certain way
because of the surroundings or situation he or she is placed in. Although there is sufficient
evidence stating that inheritance is instrumental in determining the behavior of a person,
psychologists have found that environmental factors have a profound importance on behavioral
patterns. Behaviorism, as a theory, is all encompassing and takes into account elements of
psychology, methodology and eve philosophy (Sober, 2014). This emerged as a radical concept
back in the 19th century, when traditional forms of psychology and psychological analysis were
deemed inadequate. Unlike these traditional forms, behaviorism presents assumptions which are
based in scientific evidence and can be measured.
Discussion:
Origin of behaviorism
Formally, the concept of behaviorism was founded in the year 1913, by John B. Watson.
According to Burton, Moore & Magliaro (2013), Watson devised a theory of methodological
behaviorism. This theory rejected methods of introspection in psychology and instead
emphasized on the need for measurable events and behavior analysis. Simply observing the
behavior patterns of an individual and making assumptions on the basis of that would neither be
accurate nor objective. On the other hand, by ensuring that such observations are scientific and