A Comparison Of Behaviorism

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A Comparison of Behaviorism PSY/310 January 5, 2012 A Comparison of Behaviorism Described as a developmental theory, behaviorism observes and measures behaviors which are produced by a response to a learner’s stimuli. These responses to stimuli are often reinforced using positive and negative feedback to condition and achieve desired behaviors. The educational effects produced while using behaviorism are the key elements in developing the basic skills and foundations to understanding the subject area. The theory of behaviorism states that “knowing is giving the correct response when exposed to a particular stimulus”. (Skinner, 1990). Where the behaviorist is unconcerned with the how’s and why’s in which knowledge is obtained, rather with achieving the correct response. This paper will compare and contrast the perspectives of John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner, and Edward C. Tolman and how their perspectives relate to the field of modern-day psychology. John B. Watson Born John Broadus Watson January 9, 1879 and died September 25, 1958. John B. Watson was raised in a rural area outside of Greenville, South Carolina. His family was farmers and would be considered dysfunctional by today’s standards. Watson’s mother was a Baptist fundamentalist and desired her son to become a minister, much like the namesake for which she named her son. Watson’s father, a farmer, was considered “marginally successful” and spent much of his time drinking excessively, brawling, spending extended periods of time away from home, and committing adultery. The early influences of Watson’s childhood understandably caused Watson to develop his own pattern of behavioral problems. Following the death of his mother, Watson went on to school to become an American psychologist who established the Psychological School of Behaviorism. Using a behaviorist approach, John B. Watson
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