Historical Influences on Behaviorism

  By the early 20th century, behaviorism had taken over as the leading theory of psychology from the more introspective psychoanalysis made popular by Freud. Psychologists began to focus on why people behaved the way they do, not just the underlying mechanisms of thought and behavior. John B. Watson developed a set of laws of behaviorism, and he emphasized objective methods of study over a focus on inner states such as thinking and dreaming. For this Discussion, consider specific influences of functionalism on behaviorism. For example, reflect on the contributions of key functional theorists to the development of behaviorism. BY DAY 3 Post by Day 3 an explanation of the evolution of behaviorism from its roots in functionalism. Then, explain how Watson's laws of behaviorism fundamentally influenced the school of behaviorism and how we apply psychology today.