Watsonian psychology refers to the psychological approach developed by John Broadus Watson (1878-1958), an American psychologist, often regarded as the father of behaviorism. Watsonian psychology emphasizes the study of observable behavior rather than focusing on mental processes, subjective experiences, or the unconscious mind. It is regarded as a highly influential school of thought in the history of psychology.
According to Watson, psychology should be regarded as a purely objective experimental branch of natural science that aims to understand and predict human behavior. He believed that behavior, rather than introspection or conscious experience, should be the main focus of study in psychology. Watsonian psychology rejects the concept of the mind as a separate entity from the body and emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping behavior. It suggests that behavior is determined by a combination of genetics and the environment, with a strong emphasis on the latter.
The fundamental principles of Watsonian psychology include the belief that all behavior is learned, that human behavior is a product of conditioning and reinforcement, and that it is possible to predict and control behavior through an understanding of these processes. Watson famously stated, "Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in, and I'll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select—doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief, and, yes, even beggarman and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors."
Watsonian psychology has had a profound impact on various branches of psychology, including behavior analysis, learning theory, and therapy approaches such as behavior modification.
