What aspect of psychology does the behavioral approach primarily focus on?

The behavioral approach in psychology primarily emphasizes the influence of environmental factors on behavior. This perspective is grounded in the belief that all behaviors are learned through interaction with the environment, particularly through processes such as conditioning. Behaviorists assert that behaviors are shaped by stimuli from the surrounding environment and that understanding these external factors is crucial for analyzing and modifying behavior.

This approach diverges from perspectives that focus on internal processes like mental disorders, genetic influences, or the role of free will, as it tends to ignore the internal mental states, emphasizing observable behaviors instead. By concentrating on how various environmental stimuli affect an individual’s actions, the behavioral approach is able to provide practical methods for behavior modification, such as those used in therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy.