Question
Which objective did John B. Watson and B.F Skinner have in common? a. learning about behaviour through reinforcement b. treating disorders C. using mental imagery d. discovering unconscious conflicts
Solution
4.1
(196 Votes)
Zadie
Professional ยท Tutor for 6 years
Answer
The correct answer is **a. learning about behaviour through reinforcement.**Here's why:* **John B. Watson** is the founder of behaviorism. He believed that psychology should focus only on observable behaviors and how they are learned through environmental stimuli. Classical conditioning, demonstrated by his famous "Little Albert" experiment, exemplifies this focus on learning through association and reinforcement.* **B.F. Skinner** is known for his work on operant conditioning, which emphasizes how consequences (reinforcements and punishments) shape behavior. He believed that understanding these principles was key to understanding and predicting behavior.While both were interested in behavior, their approaches differed slightly. Watson focused on stimulus-response relationships, while Skinner focused on the impact of consequences. However, both shared the fundamental objective of understanding behavior through learning and reinforcement principles.Why the other options are incorrect:* **b. Treating disorders:** While behavioral principles are used in treating disorders, this wasn't their primary *objective* of research. Their focus was on understanding the fundamental principles of learning.* **c. Using mental imagery:** Behaviorists specifically rejected the study of mental processes like imagery, as they were not directly observable.* **d. Discovering unconscious conflicts:** This is a core concept of psychoanalysis, not behaviorism. Watson and Skinner explicitly rejected the idea of studying the unconscious mind.