Behaviorism in Psychology - Essay Example

Introduction The perspective of psychology has progresses and altered effectively over the period of time. The study of human behavior is referred to as behaviorism. In today’s large pool of theories that were created, there are some few perspectives that have remained steadfast and have effective core values to follow.The pivotal focal point of the behaviorism is measurable and observable behavior. The theories created by influential psychologist such as B.F.Skinner, John B. Watson and Edward C. Tolman have remained foundation for the world of psychology. B.F.Skinner, John B. Watson has their perspective on psychology. But the perspectives are not as different as Edward C. Tolman. This essay will contrast and compare the perspective of B.F.Skinner, John B. Watson with Edward C. Tolmanand relation of the each perspective to the modern-day psychology. Discussion B.F. Skinner, John B. Watson and Edward C. Tolmanare regarded as one of the leading psychologists in the field of psychology. The different perspectives of three different psychologists are fascinating and created a pivotal impact on the era of psychology. John B. Watson perspective Behaviorism in psychology was published by first American psychologist who is John B. Watson. In the year 1913, the behaviorism manifesto was published. The experiment conducted by John B. Watson with assistant Rosalie Rayner to create behavioral perspective (Meyer 12). The experiment was conducted on 11 month old boy. The main steps implemented by John B. Watson which are observing behavior, make predictions of the possible outcome and eventually determine the relationships. The perspective of Watson on psychology is experimental and objective. The introduction of unconditioned stimuli resulted in to unconditioned response. Phobia towards the animals and white objects was created by Lil Albert. The application of phobia generated due to the response of stimuli and result in to prediction of something fearful. Fear can generate phobia towards white objects and animals. The prior to the experiment it was found out the child did not experience any symptoms that can catch the eye. The repeated presentation of process resulted in to sign of development of phobia in child. Altering behavior can resulted in to progress of classical phobia. This application of altering behavior leads in to the rise of theory of management of child environment. The techniques implemented by John B. Watson are now-a-days used in the emotional therapy, corporation and the child development. B.F.Skinner perspective The perspective of B.F. Skinner is different from the perspective of John B. Watson. The changes of perspective also include operant conditioning. The behaviorism applied by John B. Watson was revised by B.F.Skinner in the late 1930s and 1940s. The principles and description implemented by Walton and revived and moved one step further. The pivotal part which interested B.F.Skinnerwas the behavioral changes in the animals. It can eventually lead to application of changes manifested to the behaviorism of the human beings. The experiments were applied on humans as it was done by Watson. The experiments applied may be on humans by both Skinner and Watson but Skinner was not risky on implementing the experiments. B.F.Skinner looks at every single aspects of the behavior from causes and consequences of an action. This is referred by Skinner as the operant conditioning (Orford 73). The theory established by B.F.Skinner which leads to the recognition as the father of operant conditioning. The new term is also introduced by B.F.Skinner in to the law of effect of reinforcement. The explanation of the new tem is determined as the behavior which is not reinforced can lead to weakened and behavior which is reinforced can lead to strengthened. The introduction of operant conditioning has taken the behavioral therapy in to whole new level by B.F.Skinner. B.F.Skinner and John B. Watson perspectives with Edward C. Tolman The theory of Tolman to behaviorism is in whole different perspective in contrast with the behaviorism of Skinner and Watson. The theory emphasized by Tolman was the implementation of intervening variables, accepting molar behavior over than molecular behavior and finally putting emphasis on the goal-directedness of the behavior (Watson 231). The unit of study theorized by Watson as concerning molecular. But is more than what is needed which is recognized and figured out by Tolman as the larger muscle movements. In the unit of study, Tolman also figured out that the responses of glandular are effectively higher along with the response of neurological. The response of theory suggested by Watson and skinner is determined as that it is not kinesthetic response. During the time of Molar behavior pattern revealed by Tolman spoke varied patterns. Varied patters can be described as the patters of motor nerves, glands, muscles and sensory nerves of human beings. The goal of the rat inside the maze was to get food. And this resulted in to the change in specific behavior. This actions occurring is referred by Tolman as the goal-directedness or purposiveness of the behavior. Intervening variables emphasized by Tolman is described as the factors which are not observational but it rather exist as the consequences which is used extensively in the field of psychology. Another perspective that has been emphasized by Tolman is the theory of cognitive maps. It is been described that the rat in the maze does not respond to stimuli instead rats create cognitive maps. The ethics, manner of dedication and passion towards the work resembles the work created by Tolman. The careful work of Tolman exemplifies the findings and outcome of the theories discovered. It has been clearly revealed that taking too seriously about the research can hamper the outcome of the finding. The relation of the perspectives towards the modern-day psychology There is a significant relation of the perspectives by B.F.Skinner, John B. Watson and Edward C. Tolman on modern psychology. Edward C. Tolman is linked to the cognitive approach implemented in the modern psychology. The most of the modern day psychologist like the purpose and direction of the theory of behaviorism by Edward C. Tolman. The approach of Tolman is very much popular. All of the studies and theories approach of Tolman is popular in modern psychology. The popular studies and theories of Tolman are alternative studies of path, intervening variables and latent learning studies. John B. Watson is linked to the behaviorist approach in the modern-day psychology (Huyssteen 61). The effect of environment on people and animals is the behaviorist approach of John B. Watson. The theories of Skinner are also followed in the modern psychology. Operant conditioning approach is followed and is still valid in modern world. Some of the behaviorists ignore the hereditary aspects. But the result of the behavioral changes cannot be changed but it is pivotal to follow the path that can help to change the issue. The theories of Skinner, Tolman and Watson are also implemented in biological approach. Skinner and Tolman implemented valid scientific evidence to produce the results which are used by modern psychologists. Conclusion B.F. Skinner, John B. Watson and Edward C. Tolman are regarded as the leading psychologists who are backbone of the psychology. Each of the three psychologists has their different views on behavior. The ideas of Tolman, Watson and Skinner have effectively contributed to the views of behavior on modern day psychology. During thephase of obtaining degree on psychology, students need to learn about the theories of the three men. Watson theory was that altering behavior can create condition phobia. Skinner theory included operant conditioning. The theories of Tolman emphasized on cognitive maps, intervening variables and purposiveness. These three psychologists will remain as the heart in the field of psychology despite daily changes and grow in theories. Works Cited Huyssteen, Van. Encyclopedia of Science and Religion. New York: Macmillan, 2003. Print. Meyer, Ciccarelli. Psychology. New Jersey: Pearson, 2008. Print. Orford, Jim. An Unsafe Bet. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2010. Print. Watson, John. Psychology from the Standpoint of a Behaviorist. New York: Read Books, 2007. Print. Read More