Behaviorism

Behaviorism (or behaviourism) is an approach to psychology based on the proposition that behavior can be researched scientifically without recourse to inner mental states. It is a form of materialism, denying any independent significance for mind. Its significance for psychological treatment has been profound, making it one of the pillars of pharmacological therapy.

Related Topics:
Psychology - Behavior - Scientifically - Materialism - Pharmacological

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One of the assumptions of behaviorist thought is that free will is illusory, and that all behaviour is determined by the environment either through association or reinforcement.

Related Topics:
Free will - Illusory - Determined - Environment - Association - Reinforcement

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The behaviorist school of thought ran concurrent with the psychoanalysis movement in psychology in the 20th century. Its main influences were Ivan Pavlov, who investigated classical conditioning, John B. Watson (1878-1958) who rejected introspective methods and sought to restrict psychology to experimental laboratory methods. B.F. Skinner, sought to give ethical grounding to behaviorism, relating it to pragmatism.

Related Topics:
Psychoanalysis - 20th century - Ivan Pavlov - Classical conditioning - John B. Watson - Introspective - Experimental - B.F. Skinner - Ethical - Pragmatism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~