Behaviourism (One of the Main Schools of Modern American Psychology) 🧠
Behaviourism is a major school of thought in modern psychology, originating from the United States. It focuses on observable and measurable behaviours, emphasizing that psychology should study only what can be directly observed rather than internal mental states. This approach was pioneered by psychologists like John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner. 🐦✨ Watson believed that psychology should abandon introspection and focus on the study of stimulus-response relationships. Skinner, on the other hand, developed the concept of operant conditioning, which explains how behaviour is shaped by its consequences—rewards or punishments.
This theory has practical applications in education, therapy, and even animal training. For instance, teachers use positive reinforcement to encourage students' good behaviour, while therapists apply similar techniques to help individuals overcome phobias or bad habits. 🏫📚 However, critics argue that behaviourism overlooks the complexity of human emotions and cognition. Despite this, its influence remains significant in understanding learning processes and improving behavioural interventions. 🌟
In summary, behaviourism provides a valuable framework for studying how environment shapes actions, making it an essential part of psychological science. 😊