Which concept describes the Behaviorist Approach to psychology?

Get ready for the SQA National 5 Psychology Exam. Enhance your knowledge with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Prepare now for success!

The Behaviorist Approach to psychology primarily revolves around the premise that behavior can be explained through observable actions and the learning processes that shape those actions. This approach emphasizes external stimuli and responses rather than internal thoughts, feelings, or biological factors. Behaviorists, such as John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner, argue that since behavior can be observed and measured, it is the most reliable and objective way to study psychology.

Behaviorism operates on principles such as conditioning, where behaviors are learned over time through interactions with the environment. For example, classical conditioning involves learning through association, while operant conditioning focuses on how consequences shape behavior. This focus on measurable behaviors lays the groundwork for formulating experimental approaches and interventions in psychology.

The other concepts do not align with the Behaviorist perspective. The focus on cognitive processes suggests an interest in thoughts and mental activities that are not directly observable, which is contrary to the emphasis on behavior alone. Genetic influences pertain to biological or hereditary factors that are not central to the Behaviorist framework, which typically discounts such biological explanations in favor of learned behaviors. Finally, the understanding of behavior through emotional responses leans more towards humanistic or psychodynamic approaches that explore internal experiences rather than purely observable actions. Thus, the behaviorist

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy