Answer:
Behavioristic Approach
The behavioristic approach to psychology assumes that behavior is learned from either the environment or through a person’s own thoughts and reactions. This approach focuses on observable behavior and ignores internal mental states such as emotions, thoughts, and beliefs. This approach was popularized by the early work of B.F. Skinner and John Watson, and is still used today in fields such as behavior therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
History of the Behavioristic Approach
The behavioristic approach to psychology was first developed by B. F. Skinner and John Watson in the early 1900s. They argued that behavior is determined by the environment and that individuals can be conditioned to respond in certain ways through operant conditioning. Essentially, this means that with enough repetition and reinforcement, a certain behavior can be encouraged and become more likely to occur in the future.
Uses of the Behavioristic Approach
The behavioristic approach is used in many different areas of psychology, including behavior therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and even education. In behavior therapy, the goal is to modify or change behavior through the use of operant conditioning. This can be done through positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, or punishment. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, the goal is to change a person’s thoughts and beliefs in order to change their behavior. In education, the behavioristic approach is used to help students learn by focusing on reinforcing desired behaviors and extinguishing undesired behaviors.
Limitations of the Behavioristic Approach
The behavioristic approach has many limitations. It ignores internal mental states such as thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and motivations, which can have a significant impact on behavior. It also ignores the possibility of free will and the idea that behavior is not simply determined by the environment. Finally, it is not always possible to directly observe behavior, making it difficult to measure the impact of the environment on behavior.
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