Behaviorism is a school of psychology that focuses on the study of observable behavior in humans and animals, excluding internal processes and mental states such as thoughts, feelings, and inner experiences from analysis. The core idea of behaviorism is the claim that behavior can be studied using objective methods and a scientific approach without the need to refer to concepts of internal mental states.
Classical behaviorism entered psychology in the early 20th century and was extremely influential for many decades. Well-known representatives of behaviorism include Ivan Pavlov, John Watson, and B. F. Skinner. These scientists developed theories of learning and conditioned reflexes.
However, it is worth noting that in subsequent decades behaviorism faced criticism and was supplemented by other approaches in psychology that recognize the importance of internal mental processes. Thus, contemporary psychology includes behaviorist as well as cognitive and neuropsychological research methods, allowing for a more complete understanding of human behavior and mental processes.
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