Behaviorism is a theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning, and conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists believe that environmental stimuli shape our actions.1

In simple terms, behavioral psychology states that behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable manner regardless of internal mental states.2 Behavioral theory also says that *only* observable behavior should be studied since cognition, emotions, and mood are far too subjective.

Strict behaviorists believe that any person—regardless of genetic background, personality traits, and internal thoughts— can be trained to perform any task, within the limits of their physical capabilities. It only requires the right conditioning.

History of Behaviorism

Behaviorism was formally established with the 1913 publication of John B. Watson's classic paper, "Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It."3 It is best summed up by the following quote from Watson, who is often considered the father of behaviorism:

"Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I'll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select—doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief and, yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors."4

Simply put, strict behaviorists believe that all behaviors are the result of experience. Any person, regardless of their background, can be trained to act in a particular manner given the right conditioning.

To further contextualize the quote, Watson went on to note that this was a bit of an exaggeration on his part. "I am going beyond my facts and I admit it, but so have the advocates of the contrary and they have been doing it for many thousands of years," he wrote.

From about 1920 through the mid-1950s, behaviorism became the dominant school of thought in psychology. Some suggest that the popularity of behavioral psychology grew out of the desire to establish psychology as an objective and measurable science.

During that time, researchers were interested in creating theories that could be clearly described and empirically measured but also used to make contributions that might have an influence on the fabric of everyday human lives.

Radical Behaviorism

Radical behaviorism is rooted in the theory that behavior can be understood by looking at one's past and present environment and the reinforcements within it, thereby influencing behavior either positively or negatively. This behavioral approach was created by the psychologist B.F. Skinner.

It is difficult to understand the definition of radical behaviorism without first grasping the concept of behaviorism itself. “The central proposition of behaviorism-the idea that all behaviorists agree about and that defines behaviorism-is the idea that a science of behavior is possible,” William M. Baum explains in the Journal of Experimental Analysis of Behavior. Behaviorism states that human behavior is something that can be studied and adjusted, similar to other sciences, such as chemistry or biology, where objects and materials can be tested and modified in attempts to see if a certain hypothesis or belief is true.
“Radical behaviorism takes a further step and asserts that a science of behavior can be a natural science. This is what makes radical behaviorism ‘radical,'” Baum writes.

In this sense, behaviors such as a person’s acting shy at a social gathering or a boss’s yelling at an employee seemingly without reason are attributed to external forces. The shy person may be accustomed to an environment of isolation. The boss may have just received an email with distressing news. According to radical behaviorism, what people think or feel, or how they act, doesn’t exist independently but rather is the result of their experiences and https://www.verywellmind.com/behavioral-psychology

 https://online.regiscollege.edu/blog/radical-behaviorism-definition/#:~:text=This%20is%20what%20makes%20radical,to%20an%20environment%20of%20isolation.

Behaviorism is a theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning, and conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists believe that environmental stimuli shape our actions.1

In simple terms, behavioral psychology states that behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable manner regardless of internal mental states.2 Behavioral theory also says that *only* observable behavior should be studied since cognition, emotions, and mood are far too subjective.

Strict behaviorists believe that any person—regardless of genetic background, personality traits, and internal thoughts— can be trained to perform any task, within the limits of their physical capabilities. It only requires the right conditioning.

History of Behaviorism

Behaviorism was formally established with the 1913 publication of John B. Watson's classic paper, "Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It."3 It is best summed up by the following quote from Watson, who is often considered the father of behaviorism:

"Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I'll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select—doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief and, yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors."4

Simply put, strict behaviorists believe that all behaviors are the result of experience. Any person, regardless of their background, can be trained to act in a particular manner given the right conditioning.

To further contextualize the quote, Watson went on to note that this was a bit of an exaggeration on his part. "I am going beyond my facts and I admit it, but so have the advocates of the contrary and they have been doing it for many thousands of years," he wrote.

From about 1920 through the mid-1950s, behaviorism became the dominant school of thought in psychology. Some suggest that the popularity of behavioral psychology grew out of the desire to establish psychology as an objective and measurable science.

During that time, researchers were interested in creating theories that could be clearly described and empirically measured but also used to make contributions that might have an influence on the fabric of everyday human lives.

Radical Behaviorism

Radical behaviorism is rooted in the theory that behavior can be understood by looking at one's past and present environment and the reinforcements within it, thereby influencing behavior either positively or negatively. This behavioral approach was created by the psychologist B.F. Skinner.

It is difficult to understand the definition of radical behaviorism without first grasping the concept of behaviorism itself. “The central proposition of behaviorism-the idea that all behaviorists agree about and that defines behaviorism-is the idea that a science of behavior is possible,” William M. Baum explains in the Journal of Experimental Analysis of Behavior. Behaviorism states that human behavior is something that can be studied and adjusted, similar to other sciences, such as chemistry or biology, where objects and materials can be tested and modified in attempts to see if a certain hypothesis or belief is true.
“Radical behaviorism takes a further step and asserts that a science of behavior can be a natural science. This is what makes radical behaviorism ‘radical,'” Baum writes.

In this sense, behaviors such as a person’s acting shy at a social gathering or a boss’s yelling at an employee seemingly without reason are attributed to external forces. The shy person may be accustomed to an environment of isolation. The boss may have just received an email with distressing news. According to radical behaviorism, what people think or feel, or how they act, doesn’t exist independently but rather is the result of their experiences and https://www.verywellmind.com/behavioral-psychology

https://online.regiscollege.edu/blog/radical-behaviorism-definition/#:~:text=This%20is%20what%20makes%20radical,to%20an%20environment%20of%20isolation.

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