John B.

Watson (1878 to 1958) Behaviorism

Watson coined the term "Behaviorism" in 1913. Behaviorism assumes that behavior is observable and can be correlated with other observable events. Thus, there are events that precede and follow behavior. Behaviorism's goal is to explain relationships between antecedent conditions (stimuli), behavior (responses), and consequences (reward, punishment, or neutral effect).

Watson's theory was more concerned with effects of stimuli. He derived much of his thinking from Pavlov's animal studies (classical conditioning). This is also referred to as "learning through stimulus substitution," a reference to the substitution of one stimulus for another. For example, the ringing of a bell eventually produced the same response as food for Pavlov's dogs.

Aspects of Watson's theory: He opposed mentalistic concepts He used contiguity to explain learning He considered emotion to be just another example of classical conditioning He rejected the notion of individual differences He thought complex behaviors came about through combinations of identifiable reflexes He was a chief proponent of "nurture" and believed that all human differences were the result of learning He believed that practice strengthens learning

While Watson's position fell short of his goal of explaining human learning, his work is now considered as an early beginning of the development of learning science.

Chronological of John B. Watsons Experiment

Watson do research and experiment on childs emotion A small child named Albert was showed a white rat and Albert want to touch it. When Albert want to touch the rat again, then Watson made a loud sound behind Alberts head by striking a hammer on a steel bar Albert feel shocked and started to cry After this situation was repeated to Albert, then he became fear on the rat, even just the appearance of the white Albert fear then extended to all objects in white colour.

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The examples of this theory on learning environment: Teachers who is bad tempered give negative effects on students emotion. During the first day in school (scared emotion)