John B Watson Contributions Psychology

John B. Watson's Contributions to Psychology: The Father of Behaviorism

Introduction:

Ever wondered how a simple rat in a maze revolutionized our understanding of the human mind? John B. Watson, a towering figure in the history of psychology, didn't just study behavior; he redefined it. This comprehensive exploration delves into the profound and enduring contributions of John B. Watson to psychology, dissecting his groundbreaking work on behaviorism and its lasting impact on the field. We'll explore his key experiments, his controversial views, and the legacy he left behind, examining how his ideas continue to shape modern psychology and related fields. Prepare to unravel the fascinating story of the "father of behaviorism."


I. The Rise of Behaviorism: Challenging the Introspective Approach

Before Watson, psychology largely relied on introspection—examining one's own thoughts and feelings. This subjective approach lacked scientific rigor, making it difficult to replicate findings and draw objective conclusions. Watson argued for a radical shift, advocating for a purely objective, observable science of behavior. He believed that psychology should focus solely on observable actions and their environmental triggers, rejecting the study of consciousness and internal mental states as unscientific. This radical departure laid the foundation for behaviorism, a school of thought that would dominate psychology for much of the 20th century. His famous 1913 manifesto, "Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It," clearly articulated this paradigm shift, outlining his vision for a behavior-focused psychology. He proposed that all behavior, even complex human actions, could be explained by learning through conditioning.

II. The Little Albert Experiment: Fear Conditioning and its Lasting Impact

Undoubtedly, Watson's most notorious contribution is the "Little Albert" experiment. Conducted with his graduate student Rosalie Rayner, this experiment demonstrated the principles of classical conditioning in humans. They conditioned a young infant, "Albert," to fear a white rat by pairing its presentation with a loud, startling noise. This experiment showcased how emotional responses, such as fear, could be learned through association. The experiment's ethical implications are heavily debated today, with concerns about the lack of informed consent and potential psychological harm to Albert. However, its scientific impact remains undeniable, illustrating the power of classical conditioning in shaping human behavior. The experiment continues to be a central topic in discussions of ethical considerations in psychological research.

III. Classical Conditioning: The Foundation of Watson's Behaviorism

Watson's understanding of classical conditioning, originally developed by Ivan Pavlov, was central to his behavioral approach. He believed that learning occurred through the association of stimuli. A neutral stimulus (like the rat) paired with an unconditioned stimulus (the loud noise) that elicits an unconditioned response (fear) eventually becomes a conditioned stimulus, eliciting a conditioned response (fear of the rat) even in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus. This simple yet powerful principle explained a wide range of behaviors, from phobias to learned preferences. Watson's application of classical conditioning to human behavior expanded its scope beyond animal studies, solidifying its place in psychological theory.

IV. Watson's Contributions Beyond the Laboratory: Applications in Advertising and Child Rearing

Watson's influence extended far beyond the academic realm. He applied his principles of behaviorism to advertising and child rearing. He recognized the power of classical conditioning in shaping consumer behavior, advocating for the use of appealing images and associations to promote products. His insights significantly impacted advertising techniques and the burgeoning field of marketing psychology. Furthermore, he published a popular book on child-rearing, "Psychological Care of Infant and Child," where he advocated for a scientific, objective approach to raising children, emphasizing the importance of environmental control and the avoidance of emotional displays. These contributions broadened the practical applications of behaviorism, demonstrating its relevance in everyday life.


V. The Legacy of John B. Watson: A Lasting Influence on Psychology

Despite controversies surrounding his experiments and personal life, Watson's impact on psychology remains undeniable. He established behaviorism as a major school of thought, shifting the focus of psychology from subjective introspection to objective observation and experimentation. His work laid the groundwork for future behavioral theorists like B.F. Skinner and paved the way for the development of behavior modification techniques used in treating psychological disorders. His emphasis on environmental influences on behavior continues to inform contemporary approaches in fields ranging from clinical psychology to educational psychology. While many of his views have been refined or challenged, his contributions fundamentally altered the landscape of psychological thought.


VI. Book Outline: "The Enduring Impact of John B. Watson"

Introduction: A brief overview of Watson's life and the context of his work.
Chapter 1: The Pre-Behavioral Era in Psychology: Examining the limitations of introspection and the need for a new approach.
Chapter 2: The Rise of Behaviorism and Watson's Manifesto: A detailed analysis of Watson's 1913 manifesto and its impact.
Chapter 3: The Little Albert Experiment: Methodology, Results, and Ethical Considerations: A comprehensive examination of the famous experiment, including its methodology, findings, and the ongoing ethical debate.
Chapter 4: Classical Conditioning and its Application to Human Behavior: An in-depth exploration of classical conditioning and its role in Watson's theory.
Chapter 5: Behaviorism in Practice: Advertising and Child-Rearing: Examining Watson's applications of behaviorism to practical areas.
Chapter 6: The Legacy of Watson and his Continuing Influence: A comprehensive analysis of Watson's lasting impact on psychology and related fields.
Chapter 7: Criticisms and Challenges to Watson's Behaviorism: Addressing the limitations and criticisms of Watson's approach.
Conclusion: Summarizing Watson's contributions and their enduring significance.


VII. FAQs:

1. What is behaviorism? Behaviorism is a school of thought in psychology that emphasizes the study of observable behavior and its environmental determinants, rejecting the study of internal mental states.

2. What was Watson's most famous experiment? The Little Albert experiment, which demonstrated classical conditioning in humans.

3. What are the ethical concerns surrounding the Little Albert experiment? The experiment lacked informed consent and potentially caused psychological harm to the infant participant.

4. How did Watson apply behaviorism to advertising? He used principles of classical conditioning to create appealing associations between products and positive emotions.

5. What is classical conditioning? A learning process where an association is made between a neutral stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus, leading to a conditioned response.

6. How did Watson's views on child-rearing differ from earlier approaches? He advocated for a scientific, objective approach, emphasizing environmental control and minimizing emotional displays.

7. What are some criticisms of Watson's behaviorism? Critics argue that it oversimplifies human behavior and neglects the role of cognitive processes and internal mental states.

8. How has Watson's work influenced modern psychology? His emphasis on observable behavior and environmental influences continues to inform various areas of psychology, including clinical and educational psychology.

9. What other major figures were influenced by or reacted against Watson's behaviorism? B.F. Skinner (further developed operant conditioning) and Noam Chomsky (critiqued the limitations of behaviorism in explaining language acquisition).


VIII. Related Articles:

1. Classical Conditioning: A Comprehensive Guide: Explores the principles and applications of classical conditioning in detail.

2. Operant Conditioning: Skinner's Contributions to Behaviorism: Focuses on B.F. Skinner's work and its relationship to Watson's behaviorism.

3. The Ethical Dilemmas in Psychological Research: Discusses ethical considerations in conducting psychological experiments, particularly using the Little Albert experiment as a case study.

4. Behavior Modification Techniques: Practical Applications of Behaviorism: Explores various behavior modification techniques and their effectiveness in treating psychological disorders.

5. The History of Psychology: From Introspection to Cognitive Science: Provides a broader historical context for Watson's work within the development of psychology.

6. The Nature vs. Nurture Debate: Examines the ongoing debate about the relative contributions of genetics and environment to human behavior, a debate significantly impacted by Watson's work.

7. Ivan Pavlov and the Discovery of Classical Conditioning: A biography and exploration of Pavlov's work, providing the background for Watson's adaptations.

8. The Impact of Behaviorism on Advertising and Marketing: Focuses on the practical applications of behavioral principles in shaping consumer behavior.

9. Child Development Theories: A Comparison of Major Approaches: Compares and contrasts different theories of child development, highlighting the influence of behaviorism.


  john b watson contributions psychology: Psychology as the Behaviorist Views it John Broadus Watson, 1913
  john b watson contributions psychology: Modern Perspectives on John B. Watson and Classical Behaviorism James T. Todd, Edward K. Morris, 1994 This volume reassesses the role of classical behaviourism in 20th-century psychology, providing modern perspectives that correct the standard views of John B. Watson. This historical analysis includes comprehensive bibliographies of Watson's published works and important related studies.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Behavior - An Introduction to Comparative Psychology John B. Watson, 2008-11 This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 edition. Excerpt: ... (6) Columns for Discount on Purchases and Discount on Notes on the same side of the Cash Book; (c) Columns for Discount on Sales and Cash Sales on the debit side of the Cash Book; (d) Departmental columns in the Sales Book and in the Purchase Book. Controlling Accounts.--The addition of special columns in books of original entry makes possible the keeping of Controlling Accounts. The most common examples of such accounts are Accounts Receivable account and Accounts Payable account. These summary accounts, respectively, displace individual customers' and creditors' accounts in the Ledger. The customers' accounts are then segregated in another book called the Sales Ledger or Customers' Ledger, while the creditors' accounts are kept in the Purchase or Creditors' Ledger. The original Ledger, now much reduced in size, is called the General Ledger. The Trial Balance now refers to the accounts in the General Ledger. It is evident that the task of taking a Trial Balance is greatly simplified because so many fewer accounts are involved. A Schedule of Accounts Receivable is then prepared, consisting of the balances found in the Sales Ledger, and its total must agree with the balance of the Accounts Receivable account shown in the Trial Balance. A similar Schedule of Accounts Payable, made up of all the balances in the Purchase Ledger, is prepared, and it must agree with the balance of the Accounts Payable account of the General Ledger. The Balance Sheet.--In the more elementary part of the text, the student learned how to prepare a Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the purpose of disclosing the net capital of an enterprise. In the present chapter he was shown how to prepare a similar statement, the Balance Sheet. For all practical...
  john b watson contributions psychology: New Learning Mary Kalantzis, Bill Cope, 2012-06-29 Fully updated and revised, the second edition of New Learning explores the contemporary debates and challenges in education and considers how schools can prepare their students for the future. New Learning, Second Edition is an inspiring and comprehensive resource for pre-service and in-service teachers alike.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Behaviorism John B. Watson, 2017-09-29 Watson was the father of behaviorism. His now-revered lectures on the subject defined behaviorism as a natural science that takes the whole field of human adjustment as its own. It is the business of behaviorist psychology to predict and control human activity. The field has as its aim to be able, given the stimulus, to predict the response, or seeing the reaction, to know the stimulus that produced it. Watson argued that psychology is as good as its observations: what the organism does or says in the general environment. Watson identified laws of learning, including frequency and recency. Kimble makes it perfectly clear that Watson's behaviorism, while deeply indebted to Ivan Pavlov, went beyond the Russian master in his treatment of cognition, language, and emotion. It becomes clear that Behaviorism is anything but the reductionist caricature it is often made out to be in the critical literature. For that reason alone, the work merits a wide reading. Behaviorism, as was typical of the psychology of the time, offered a wide array of applications all of which can be said to fall on the enlightened side of the ledger. At a time of mixed messages, Watson argued against child beating and abuse, for patterns of enlightened techniques of factory management, and for curing the sick and isolating the small cadre of criminals not subject to correction. And anticipating Thomas Szasz, he argued against a doctrine of strictly mental diseases, and for a close scrutiny of behavioral illness and disturbances. Kimble's brilliant introduction to Watson ends with a challenge to subjectivism to provide evidence that Watson's behaviorism cannot explain human actions without introspective notions of the mind. This genuine classic of social science hi our century remains relevant not just for the conduct of psychological research, but for studies in the philosophy of science and the sociology of knowledge.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Handbook of Behaviorism William O'Donohue, Richard Kitchener, 1998-10-21 Handbook of Behaviorism provides a comprehensive single source that summarizes what behaviorism is, how the various flavors of behaviorism have differed between major theorists both in psychology and philosophy, and what aspects of those theories have been borne out in research findings and continue to be of use in understanding human behavior.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Psychology Gets in the Game Christopher D. Green, Ludy T. Benjamin, 2009 Although sport psychology did not fully mature as a recognized discipline until the 1960s, pioneering psychologists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, making greater use of empirical research methodologies, sought to understand mental factors that affect athletic performance. Though the psychologists behind the studies described here worked independently of one another and charted their own distinct courses of inquiry, their works, taken together, provided the corpus of precedents and foundations on which the modern field of sport psychology was built. The essays collected in this volume tell the stories not only of these psychologists and their subjects but of the social and academic context that surrounded them, shaping and being shaped by their ideas--Provided by publisher.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Conditioned Emotional Reactions John B. Watson, Rosalie Rayner, 2013-01-10 Psychology Classics: The Case of Little Albert Conditioned Emotional Reactions by John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner is one of the most influential, infamous and iconic research articles ever published in the history of psychology. Commonly referred to as The Case of Little Albert this psychology classic attempted to show how fear could be induced in an infant through classical conditioning. Originally published in 1920, Conditioned Emotional Reactions remains among the most frequently cited journal articles in introductory psychology courses and textbooks. A psychology classic is by definition a must read. However, most seminal texts within the discipline remain unread by a majority of psychology students. A detailed, well written description of a classic study is fine to a point, but there is absolutely no substitute for understanding and engaging with the issues under review than by reading the authors unabridged ideas, thoughts and findings in their entirety. Bonus Material: One of the most dramatic aspects of Watson and Rayner's original study was that they had planned to test a number of methods by which they could remove Little Albert's conditioned fear responses. However, as Watson noted Unfortunately Albert was taken from the hospital the day the above tests were made. Hence the opportunity of building up an experimental technique by means of which we could remove the conditioned emotional responses was denied us. This unforeseen turn of events was something that obviously stayed with Watson, as under his guidance some three years later, Mary Cover Jones conducted a follow-up study - A Laboratory Study of Fear: The Case of Peter - which illustrated how fear may be removed under laboratory conditions. This additional and highly relevant article is also presented in full. The Case of Little Albert has been produced as part of an initiative by the website All About Psychology to make important psychology publications widely available. www.all-about-psychology.com
  john b watson contributions psychology: Psychology From the Standpoint of a Behaviorist John Broadus Watson, 2022-10-26 This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Behave Andromeda Romano-Lax, 2016-03-01 From the author of The Spanish Bow comes a lush, harrowing novel based on the real life story of Rosalie Rayner Watson, one of the most controversial scientists—and mothers—of the 20th century “The mother begins to destroy the child the moment it’s born,” wrote the founder of behaviorist psychology, John B. Watson, whose 1928 parenting guide was revered as the child-rearing bible. For their dangerous and “mawkish” impulses to kiss and hug their child, “most mothers should be indicted for psychological murder.” Behave is the story of Rosalie Rayner, Watson’s ambitious young wife and the mother of two of his children. In 1920, when she graduated from Vassar College, Rayner was ready to make her mark on the world. Intelligent, beautiful, and unflappable, she won a coveted research position at Johns Hopkins assisting the charismatic celebrity psychologist John B. Watson. Together, Watson and Rayner conducted controversial experiments on hundreds of babies to prove behaviorist principles. They also embarked on a scandalous affair that cost them both their jobs—and recast the sparkling young Rosalie Rayner, scientist and thinker, as Mrs. John Watson, wife and conflicted, maligned mother, just another “woman behind a great man.” With Behave, Andromeda Romano-Lax offers a provocative fictional biography of Rosalie Rayner Watson, a woman whose work influenced generations of Americans, and whose legacy has been lost in the shadow of her husband’s. In turns moving and horrifying, Behave is a richly nuanced and disturbing novel about science, progress, love, marriage, motherhood, and what all those things cost a passionate, promising young woman.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Points of View in the Modern History of Psychology Claude E. Buxton, 2013-10-22 Points of View in the Modern History of Psychology is a collection of papers that presents each individual contributor's expert knowledge of history in the field of psychology. One paper examines Wilhelm Wundt's concept of psychology as the propaedeutic science surviving and inspiring a generation or more of psychologists. Another paper discusses the early sources and the basic conceptions of functionalism as used in America. John B. Watson proclaims behaviorism as a new discipline in psychology with defining features, such as an objective, deterministic, scientific, and experimental method that can be used in both human and animal studies. Lieberman (1979), Mackenzie (1977) Miller, Galanter, and Pribram (1960) oppose behaviorism on the grounds that it slights the purpose of psychology, and focuses more on methodology to the detriment of theory. One paper notes that the acceptance or influence that a point of view has is based in some ways on the range and clarity of its connections with experimental and observational reality. This collection can prove useful for psychologists, behavioral scientists, psychiatrists, psycho-analysts, students of psychology, philosophy or general history who are interested in the many viewpoints of psychology.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Psychological Care of Infant and Child John Broadus Watson, 1972
  john b watson contributions psychology: Faith and Health Thomas G. Plante, Allen C. Sherman, 2001-08-02 This volume reviews and integrates the growing body of contemporary psychological research on the links between religious faith and health outcomes. It presents up-to-date findings from empirical studies of populations ranging from healthy individuals to those with specific clinical problems, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, and psychological disorders. Drawing on multiple perspectives in psychology, the book examines such critical questions as the impact of religious practices on health behaviors and health risks; the role played by faith in adaptation to illness or disability; and possible influences on physiological functioning and mortality. Chapters reflect the close collaboration of the editors and contributing authors, who discuss commonalities and differences in their work, debate key methodological concerns, and outline a cohesive agenda for future research.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning Norbert M. Seel, 2011-10-05 Over the past century, educational psychologists and researchers have posited many theories to explain how individuals learn, i.e. how they acquire, organize and deploy knowledge and skills. The 20th century can be considered the century of psychology on learning and related fields of interest (such as motivation, cognition, metacognition etc.) and it is fascinating to see the various mainstreams of learning, remembered and forgotten over the 20th century and note that basic assumptions of early theories survived several paradigm shifts of psychology and epistemology. Beyond folk psychology and its naïve theories of learning, psychological learning theories can be grouped into some basic categories, such as behaviorist learning theories, connectionist learning theories, cognitive learning theories, constructivist learning theories, and social learning theories. Learning theories are not limited to psychology and related fields of interest but rather we can find the topic of learning in various disciplines, such as philosophy and epistemology, education, information science, biology, and – as a result of the emergence of computer technologies – especially also in the field of computer sciences and artificial intelligence. As a consequence, machine learning struck a chord in the 1980s and became an important field of the learning sciences in general. As the learning sciences became more specialized and complex, the various fields of interest were widely spread and separated from each other; as a consequence, even presently, there is no comprehensive overview of the sciences of learning or the central theoretical concepts and vocabulary on which researchers rely. The Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning provides an up-to-date, broad and authoritative coverage of the specific terms mostly used in the sciences of learning and its related fields, including relevant areas of instruction, pedagogy, cognitive sciences, and especially machine learning and knowledge engineering. This modern compendium will be an indispensable source of information for scientists, educators, engineers, and technical staff active in all fields of learning. More specifically, the Encyclopedia provides fast access to the most relevant theoretical terms provides up-to-date, broad and authoritative coverage of the most important theories within the various fields of the learning sciences and adjacent sciences and communication technologies; supplies clear and precise explanations of the theoretical terms, cross-references to related entries and up-to-date references to important research and publications. The Encyclopedia also contains biographical entries of individuals who have substantially contributed to the sciences of learning; the entries are written by a distinguished panel of researchers in the various fields of the learning sciences.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Neurocomic Hana Ros, 2014-04-15 Do you know what your brain is made of? How does memory function? What is a neuron and how does it work? For that matter what's a comic? And in the words of Lewis Carroll's famous caterpillar: Who are you? Neurocomic is a journey through the human brain: a place of neuron forests, memory caves, and castles of deception. Along the way, you'll encounter Boschean beasts, giant squid, guitar-playing sea slugs, and the great pioneers of neuroscience. Hana Roš and Matteo Farinella provide an insight into the most complex thing in the universe.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Readings In The History Of Psychology Wayne Dennis, 2014-12-03 A fascinating collection of writing by some of the finest minds the world has ever known. A must read fro anybody with an interest in the history of psychology, with writings by the Aristotle, Galileo, Descartes, Newton, Von Helmholtz, Thorndike and much more. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Mechanical Man Kerry W. Buckley, 1989-01-01 Definitive biography of John Broadus Watson, influential American psychologist, and founder of behaviorism.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Understanding Behaviorism William M. Baum, 2017-01-03 Understanding Behaviorism is a classic textbook that explains the basis of behavior analysis and its application to human problems in a scholarly but accessible manner. Now in its third edition, the text has been substantially updated to include the latest developments over the last decade in behaviour analysis, evolutionary theory, and cultural evolution theory The only book available that explains behavior analysis and applies it to philosophical and practical problems, written by one of today’s best-known and most highly respected behaviorists Explores ancient concepts such as purpose, language, knowledge, and thought, as well as applying behavioural thinking to contemporary social issues like freedom, democracy, and culture Part of the new evolutionary perspective for understanding individual behavior in general and culture in particular – culminates with practical approaches to improving the lives of all humanity
  john b watson contributions psychology: Principles of Physiological Psychology W.M. Wundt, 1969
  john b watson contributions psychology: Beyond Freedom and Dignity B. F. Skinner, 2002-03-15 In this profound and profoundly controversial work, a landmark of 20th-century thought originally published in 1971, B. F. Skinner makes his definitive statement about humankind and society. Insisting that the problems of the world today can be solved only by dealing much more effectively with human behavior, Skinner argues that our traditional concepts of freedom and dignity must be sharply revised. They have played an important historical role in our struggle against many kinds of tyranny, he acknowledges, but they are now responsible for the futile defense of a presumed free and autonomous individual; they are perpetuating our use of punishment and blocking the development of more effective cultural practices. Basing his arguments on the massive results of the experimental analysis of behavior he pioneered, Skinner rejects traditional explanations of behavior in terms of states of mind, feelings, and other mental attributes in favor of explanations to be sought in the interaction between genetic endowment and personal history. He argues that instead of promoting freedom and dignity as personal attributes, we should direct our attention to the physical and social environments in which people live. It is the environment rather than humankind itself that must be changed if the traditional goals of the struggle for freedom and dignity are to be reached. Beyond Freedom and Dignity urges us to reexamine the ideals we have taken for granted and to consider the possibility of a radically behaviorist approach to human problems--one that has appeared to some incompatible with those ideals, but which envisions the building of a world in which humankind can attain its greatest possible achievements.
  john b watson contributions psychology: From Darwin to Behaviourism Robert Boakes, 1984-04-19 This volume surveys the way that understanding of the minds of animals and ideas about the relationship between animal and human behaviour developed from around 1870 to 1930. In describing the research and theories which contributed to these developments, this book looks at the people who undertook such studies and the reasons why they did so. Its main purpose is to examine the different ways in which the outcome of this work affected their ideas about the human mind and exerted such a formative influence on psychology in general. This book will be used by first and second year undergraduates studying psychology, and will also appeal to students of the history of science and philosophy. In addition, the lucid, non-technical style of this book will provide an excellent introduction to the general reader who would like to know more about this interesting subject.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Exploring Developmental Theories Frances Degen Horowitz, 2014-02-25 Through the evaluation and integration of developmental theories, this volume proposes a new structural/behavioral model of development. Dr. Horowitz’s model helps account for both the behavioral development of children (with extensions across the life-span) and for the universal and non-universal characteristics in human behavioral development. Exploring Developmental Theories also sheds a new and different light on the nature- nurture or heredity-environment controversy and on the topic of continuity and discontinuity in development. Exploring Developmental Theories: *examines the concepts of stage, structure, and systems; organismic theory; and general system theory; *analyzes open and closed systems as well as organismic and mechanistic world views; *integrates the concepts associated with organismic and mechanist world views; *examines learning mechanisms and processes that foster the acquisition of behavior, and *discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Gessel, Piaget, and behaviorism in accounting for behavioral development.
  john b watson contributions psychology: A Brief History of Psychology Michael Wertheimer, 2012 This edition approaches psychology as a discipline with antecedents in philosophical speculation and early scientific experimentation. It covers these early developments, 19th-century German experimental psychology and empirical psychology in tradition of William James, the 20th century dubbed the age of schools and dominated by psychoanalysis, behavioralism, structuralism, and Gestalt psychology, as well as the return to empirical methods and active models of human agency. Finally it evaluates psychology in the new millennium and developments in terms of women in psychology, industrial psychology and social justice
  john b watson contributions psychology: The Psychology of B F Skinner William O′Donohue, Kyle E. Ferguson, 2001-03-15 The authors provide a concise overview of the basic principles and methods used by modern behavior analysts, as well as a thorough discussion of the difference between reward and reinforcement and elicited and emitted behavior. —THE PSYCHOLOGICAL RECORD O′Donohue and Ferguson provide an exceptionally clear picture of the breadth, scientific importance, and value to society of the work of the late B.F. Skinner. They include reasons that his work has been criticized and misunderstood. A substantial index, an attractive cover and typeface, and a readable style are bonuses to this exceptionally well-researched, accurate, and fair description of Skinner′s work. All collections.— CHOICE In The Psychology of B. F. Skinner, William T. O′Donohue and Kyle E. Ferguson not only introduce the life of one of the most influential psychologist of the past century but also put that life into historical and philosophical context. In so doing, they illuminate Skinner′s contributions to psychology, his philosophy of science, his experimental research program, and the behavioral principles and applied aspects that emerged from it. They also rebut criticism of Skinner′s work, including radical behaviorism, and discuss key developments others have derived from it. Behaviorists, or more precisely Skinnerians, commonly consider Skinner′s work to have been misrepresented, misunderstood, and, to some extent, even defamed. The authors take great care in accurately representing both the strengths and the weaknesses of his positions. They also attempt to correct misinterpretations of his work. Finally, they guide students through Skinner′s theories and demonstrate their applications and usefulness via extensive examples and illustrations.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Verbal Behavior B. F. Skinner, 2014-05-26 In 1934, at the age of 30, B. F. Skinner found himself at a dinner sitting next to Professor Alfred North Whitehead. Never one to lose an opportunity to promote behaviorism, Skinner expounded its main tenets to the distinguished philosopher. Whitehead acknowledged that science might account for most of human behavior but he would not include verbal behavior. He ended the discussion with a challenge: Let me see you, he said, account for my behavior as I sit here saying, 'No black scorpion is falling upon this table.' The next morning Skinner began this book. It took him over twenty years to complete. This book extends the laboratory-based principles of selection by consequences to account for what people say, write, gesture, and think. Skinner argues that verbal behavior requires a separate analysis because it does not operate on the environment directly, but rather through the behavior of other people in a verbal community. He illustrates his thesis with examples from literature, the arts, and sciences, as well as from his own verbal behavior and that of his colleagues and children. Perhaps it is because this theoretical work provides a way to approach that most human of human behavior that Skinner ofter called Verbal Behavior his most important work.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Mental Development in the Child and the Race James Mark Baldwin, 1894
  john b watson contributions psychology: Without/within Floyd W. Matson, 1973
  john b watson contributions psychology: A History of Psychology in Autobiography Carl Murchison, 1936
  john b watson contributions psychology: Introduction to Psychology Jennifer Walinga, Charles Stangor, This book is designed to help students organize their thinking about psychology at a conceptual level. The focus on behaviour and empiricism has produced a text that is better organized, has fewer chapters, and is somewhat shorter than many of the leading books. The beginning of each section includes learning objectives; throughout the body of each section are key terms in bold followed by their definitions in italics; key takeaways, and exercises and critical thinking activities end each section.
  john b watson contributions psychology: The Chicago School of Functionalism John R. Shook, 2001-01-15 Volume 1 contains the central documents of the functionalist tradition, displaying its foundations and growth. Volume 2 presents the founding manifesto of the Chicago instrumentalism, John Dewey's Studies in Logical Theory (1903), and a selection of the most significant reactions to it; and Volume 3 reprints Psychology, by the acknowledged leader of the Chicago Functionalism movement, James R. Agnell (1904). Introduced by Andrew Backe, the text is accompanied by the key secondary works that followed its publication.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Contributions to a History of Developmental Psychology Georg Eckardt, Wolfgang G. Bringmann, Lothar Sprung, 2013-02-06
  john b watson contributions psychology: Dynamic Psychology Robert Sessions Woodworth, 2022-10-27 This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
  john b watson contributions psychology: The Ways of Behaviorism John Broadus Watson, 1958
  john b watson contributions psychology: Psychology John C. Malone, 2009 A history of ideas about mind, knowledge, the self, ethics, and free will, and their importance as more than just precursors of current thinking.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Walden Two B. F. Skinner, 2005-07-15 A reprint of the 1976 Macmillan edition. This fictional outline of a modern utopia has been a center of controversy ever since its publication in 1948. Set in the United States, it pictures a society in which human problems are solved by a scientific technology of human conduct.
  john b watson contributions psychology: The Battle of Behaviorism John B. Watson, William MacDougall, 2013-10 This is a new release of the original 1929 edition.
  john b watson contributions psychology: The Behavior of Organisms B. F. Skinner, 1990
  john b watson contributions psychology: Miseducation David Elkind, 2010-12-08 Designed to help parents avoid the miseducation of young children. Dr. Elkind shows us the very real difference between the mind of a pre-school child and that of a school age child.
  john b watson contributions psychology: Portraits of Pioneers in Psychology Gregory A. Kimble, Michael Wertheimer, 2014-04-08 This third volume in a series devoted to luminaries in the history of psychology--features chapter authors who are themselves highly visible and eminent scholars. They provide glimpses of the giants who shaped modern cognitive and behavioral science, and shed new light on their contributions and personalities, often with a touch of humor or whimsy and with fresh personal insights. The animated style, carefully selected details, and lively perspective make the people, ideas, and controversies in the history of psychology come alive. The fields touched on in this and other volumes cover all of the subfields of psychology. As such, all volumes of Portraits of Pioneers in Psychology will be of interest to psychologists, as well as scholars in related fields. The resourceful teacher could use a selection of chapters as supplementary readings to enhance almost any course in the discipline. The major purpose of these books is to provide source materials for students and their teachers in undergraduate and graduate courses in the history of psychology. Each of the five volumes in this series contains different profiles thereby bringing more than 100 of the pioneers in psychology more vividly to life.
  john b watson contributions psychology: J. B. Watson, the Founder of Behaviourism David Cohen, 1979-01-01