Perspectives Paper
Perspectives
Veronica Bayer
PSY/310
March 29, 2010
Brooke Shriner
Perspectives
Introduction Throughout the years there have been many men and women who have made many advancements and contributions to the science of psychology. They have used observations, experimentations, and scientific studies to hypothesize, and prove their theories. However, some of the greatest theories and achievements in the study of psychology were obtained through experiments and studies using live animals. Three men who have made great strides in psychology were; John B. Watson, B. F. Skinner, and Edward C. Tolman. Although they were not in the forefront at the beginning of the study of psychology, their theories and new fields in psychology allowed the advancements that contributed to the growth of the science.
John B. Watson - Perspectives “According to Watson, psychology is a purely objective experimental branch of natural science. It’s theoretical goal is the prediction and control of behavior. It has been maintained that psychology is a study of the science of the phenomena of consciousness” (Watson, 1914, p. 1). Watson rejected Freud’s beliefs of psychology because he thought that there was not any scientific basis to them. Because Watson was a true scientist, I believe that he thought Freud’s data was subjective and that the observations made could be easily manipulated. “His view of behaviorism was a reaction to introspection, where each researcher served as his or her own research subject, and the study of consciousness by Freud and others, which Watson believed to be highly subjective and unscientific” (John B. Watson (1878-1958) – Popularizing Behaviorism, The Little Albert Study, The “Dozen Healthy Infants”, Life after the University,” n.d., p. 2543). He believed that controlled laboratory studies would be the most effective way to study learning. “Watson not only eliminated the study of motivation,
Veronica Bayer
PSY/310
March 29, 2010
Brooke Shriner
Perspectives
Introduction Throughout the years there have been many men and women who have made many advancements and contributions to the science of psychology. They have used observations, experimentations, and scientific studies to hypothesize, and prove their theories. However, some of the greatest theories and achievements in the study of psychology were obtained through experiments and studies using live animals. Three men who have made great strides in psychology were; John B. Watson, B. F. Skinner, and Edward C. Tolman. Although they were not in the forefront at the beginning of the study of psychology, their theories and new fields in psychology allowed the advancements that contributed to the growth of the science.
John B. Watson - Perspectives “According to Watson, psychology is a purely objective experimental branch of natural science. It’s theoretical goal is the prediction and control of behavior. It has been maintained that psychology is a study of the science of the phenomena of consciousness” (Watson, 1914, p. 1). Watson rejected Freud’s beliefs of psychology because he thought that there was not any scientific basis to them. Because Watson was a true scientist, I believe that he thought Freud’s data was subjective and that the observations made could be easily manipulated. “His view of behaviorism was a reaction to introspection, where each researcher served as his or her own research subject, and the study of consciousness by Freud and others, which Watson believed to be highly subjective and unscientific” (John B. Watson (1878-1958) – Popularizing Behaviorism, The Little Albert Study, The “Dozen Healthy Infants”, Life after the University,” n.d., p. 2543). He believed that controlled laboratory studies would be the most effective way to study learning. “Watson not only eliminated the study of motivation,
References: (2009). Edward C. Tolman. Retrieved from http://www.a2zpsychology.com. John B. Watson (1878-1958)-Popularizing Behaviorism, The Little Albert Study, The "Dozen Healthy Infants", Life after the University.(n.d.), Retrieved from http://education.stateuniversity.com. Watson, J. B. (1914). Behavior: An Introduction to Comparative Psychology. New York, New York: Henry Holt and Company.