Question

Briefly describe the history (including its primary contributors), nature and assumptions of the school of thought associated with behaviorism and explain why behaviorism constitutes or represents a paradigm.

Answer 1

Behaviorism is a paradigm in a sense that it broke out the traditional belief that one’s ability, intelligence and behaviors are determined by genetic influence alone. Although, Edward Thorndike is considered to be the father of Behaviorism, it was John B. Watson who with his famous quote ‘Give me twelve well formed babies and I’ll bring them up in my environment and make them whoever you want them to become such as doctors, engineers etc. Behaviorism is a school of thought which shifted its focus from genetic influence to environmental influences. Behaviorism was taken forward with classical conditioning by Pavlov and Operant Conditioning by B.F.Skinner. Behaviorists believe in the effect of environment in shaping one’s behavior. Behaviors are learned but most importantly, behaviors are also shaped.