Doctrine of Behaviourism

The doctrine of behaviourism is a theoretical framework that defines psychology as the

science of behavior, rather than the science of the mind as something separate from behavior.
According to this doctrine, behavior can be described and explained without making ultimate
reference to mental events or internal psychological processes. Instead, the sources of
behavior are seen as external, arising from the environment rather than from within the mind.

In the course of theory development in psychology, if mental terms or concepts are used to
describe or explain behavior, behaviourists suggest that they should either be eliminated and
replaced by behavioural terms, or translated or paraphrased into behavioural concepts. This
approach is rooted in the belief that mental terms or concepts are too abstract and subjective
to be studied scientifically, whereas observable behavior can be objectively measured and
analyzed.

Overall, the doctrine of behaviourism emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence and
rigorous experimentation in the study of behavior, while rejecting the notion of the mind as a
separate entity or cause of behavior. By focusing on observable behavior and its
environmental causes, behaviourists aim to develop a comprehensive understanding of
human and animal behavior that is objective, testable, and scientifically valid.