BEHAVIORIST Meaning and
Definition
-
A behaviorist is an individual who adheres to the principles and theories of behaviorism, a psychological approach that focuses on studying and understanding human behavior primarily through observation, experimentation, and measurement. Behaviorists believe that all human behavior, be it conscious or unconscious, is shaped predominantly by the environment and external stimuli, rather than being driven by internal thoughts, emotions, or mental processes.
The behaviorist paradigm emerged as a prominent school of thought in the early 20th century, pioneered by figures such as John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner. Behaviorists emphasize the importance of analyzing observable behavior, as it can be objectively measured and studied, while subjective mental states are considered less reliable. They believe that all behavior, including complex human actions, can be explained and predicted through the principles of stimulus, response, and reinforcement.
Behaviorists typically advocate for the use of experimental methods and controlled laboratory settings to test and validate their theories. They often employ techniques such as operant conditioning and behavior modification to modify or eliminate undesirable behaviors and reinforce positive ones. Practical applications of behaviorism can be found in various fields, including education, therapy, and animal training.
In summary, a behaviorist is a practitioner or researcher who subscribes to the principles of behaviorism, which relies on objective observation, measurement, and manipulation of behavior to understand and explain human actions and reactions.
Top Common Misspellings for BEHAVIORIST *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for BEHAVIORIST
Etymology of BEHAVIORIST
The word "behaviorist" comes from the root word "behavior", which dates back to the late 15th century and originated from the Middle French word "behaviour" or "comportement". This, in turn, was derived from the Old French word "behavoir" meaning "to behave", which came from the Latin word "behaviors", a variant of "behavior" (nominative "behabitus") meaning "behavior, deportment". The suffix "-ist" is derived from the Latin suffix "-ista" and is added to nouns to indicate a person who practices or is concerned with something related to that noun. Therefore, "behaviorist" refers to a person who practices or studies behavior, particularly in the context of psychology or behaviorism.
Similar spelling words for BEHAVIORIST
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
