Methodological Behaviorism: An Overview
Methodological behaviorism is a psychological school of thought that emphasizes the role of observable behavior as the primary focus of psychological inquiry. It was developed in the early 20th century by psychologists such as John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner. The behaviorist approach is based on the understanding that behavior is shaped by environmental forces, rather than by internal mental states. This school of thought has been influential in many fields, including cognitive science, education, and psychotherapy, and has been criticized for its reductionism and lack of attention to individual differences. This article will provide an overview of methodological behaviorism, its history, its applications, and its critiques.
History
Methodological behaviorism emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the psychodynamic theories of Sigmund Freud and others. John B. Watson, who is often credited as the founder of behaviorism, argued that psychology should be a science of behavior and that internal mental states should not be studied. He argued that psychology should be an objective science, and that behavior should be studied as a function of environmental variables, rather than as an expression of internal mental states.
In the 1930s, B.F. Skinner developed the field of operant conditioning, which focused on the role of reinforcement in shaping behavior. Skinner’s work provided the theoretical framework for many of the applications of behaviorism that followed.
Applications
Methodological behaviorism has been applied in a variety of contexts, including education, psychotherapy, and cognitive science. In education, behaviorism has been used to develop teaching methods that are based on the idea that behavior is shaped by environmental forces. It has also been used in psychotherapy to treat various psychological disorders, such as anxiety and depression. In cognitive science, behaviorism has been used to study the acquisition of language and other cognitive skills.
Critiques
Methodological behaviorism has been widely criticized for its reductionism and its lack of attention to individual differences. Critics argue that behaviorism ignores the role of internal mental states, such as thoughts and emotions, in shaping behavior. They also argue that behaviorism ignores the importance of individual differences in behavior, such as differences in personality and intelligence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, methodological behaviorism is a psychological school of thought that emphasizes the role of observable behavior as the primary focus of psychological inquiry. It has been applied in a variety of contexts, including education, psychotherapy, and cognitive science. However, it has also been widely criticized for its reductionism and its lack of attention to individual differences.
References
Barker, L. A., & Wampold, B. E. (2015). The great psychotherapy debate: The evidence for what makes psychotherapy work (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Gardner, H. (1985). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. Basic Books.
Hothersall, D. (2004). History of psychology (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Skinner, B.F. (1938). The behavior of organisms: An experimental analysis. Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Watson, J.B. (1913). Psychology as the behaviorist views it. Psychological Review, 20, 158-177.