Question

Why do you think behaviorism has been (and still is) so popular?

Do you think it would have become so popular without the earlier work of the functional psychologists? Why or why not?

Answer 1

• First question-
• Behaviorism, a mental response based on actions relating to reward, is not a modern theory of psychology, yet it seems to make more sense than is accepted by psychologists.Many psychologists argue that behaviorism does not apply to emotions, therefore it cannot be the logical primary source of modern psychology. They have turned against behaviorism and turned to the study of thinking and consciousness, known as cognitive psychology. This type of psychology utilizes an approach called information processing, or how information that is received through the different senses is "processed" by various systems in the brain.
• I believe that behaviors can result in a beneficial emotional response which is a reward, therefore is a very prevalent source of psychological study and it should be more widely accepted in the field today. I think that if psychology accepts behaviorism in conjunction with the ideas of other sections of study will be able to create a well-rounded approach to human psychology.
• It can be argued that, although behaviorism is limiting, it is also very effective as a basis for investigating other theories. For example, the image processing of cognitive psychology has its base in behavior analysis. The future of psychology as a science depends on how effectively it can use behavioral methodology, instead of focusing on either the philosophical or ideological underpinnings of the behavioristic shape of its theories. Thus, behaviorism is a theory that still has basic applicability in both its theories and methods.
• However, it needs somewhat of a reconstruction in order to continue to be beneficial to the world of psychology as a great theory of personality.Such a retooling of the theories would make the considerable capacity of behaviorism's theories more applicable to the world of today, a world more willing to search the inner recesses of the human mind.
  
• Second question-
• Watson’s behaviorism became popular because he promoted the idea of creating a utopian society basedon behavioral principles. Perhaps most influential was the idea that, with Watson’s vision, it is possiblefor anyone to become anything, unfettered by inherited characteristics. Furthermore, with behaviorism came the idea that all behavior can be shaped by conditioning, even “adult disturbances.” This caused psychology to be seen as a way to “health, happiness, and prosperity.
• Perhaps not. The functionalists laid the way for applied psychology, which was embraced by the American public. The applied psychology movement not only made psychology more valued (because of its practicality) but more visible as well. Both the practicality and visibility were important components of Watson’s psychology.