What does behaviorism primarily study?

Behaviorism primarily studies observable behaviors, focusing on the idea that all behaviors are learned through interactions with the environment. This psychological approach emphasizes the importance of external stimuli and responses over internal mental processes, such as thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Behaviorists believe that by understanding the environmental factors that influence behavior, one can predict and modify behavior effectively.

This perspective emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction against introspective methods that were prevalent in psychology. Behaviorists like John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner conducted experiments that demonstrated how behavior can be conditioned through reinforcement and punishment. By concentrating on what can be directly observed and measured, behaviorism has contributed significantly to fields such as education, therapy, and animal training.

The other choices involve aspects outside the primary focus of behaviorism, such as internal mental states, emotional responses, and personality theories, which are more aligned with cognitive psychology or psychoanalytic approaches. Behaviorism intentionally avoids these subjective inner experiences to establish a more scientific approach to studying and understanding human behavior.