Behaviorism explains animal and human behavior entirely in terms of what?

Behaviorism explains animal and human behavior entirely in terms of what?

• A. Observable and measurable responses to stimuli
• B. Internal thoughts and feelings
• C. Social influences
• D. Biological instincts

Answer: (A)

Behaviorism explains animal and human behavior entirely in terms of observable and measurable responses to stimuli. It holds that scientific study of behavior should rely on what can be seen and quantified—the external stimuli presented and the resulting actions—rather than on private thoughts or feelings. Learning is understood through conditioning and reinforcement, with behavior shaped by environmental consequences rather than by internal mental states. For example, Pavlov showed how a neutral stimulus could elicit a response after pairing with something meaningful, and Skinner demonstrated how different reinforcement schedules change how often a behavior occurs. The other options involve internal experiences, social context, or innate drives, which behaviorism does not use as primary explanations.

Behaviorism explains animal and human behavior entirely in terms of observable and measurable responses to stimuli. It holds that scientific study of behavior should rely on what can be seen and quantified—the external stimuli presented and the resulting actions—rather than on private thoughts or feelings. Learning is understood through conditioning and reinforcement, with behavior shaped by environmental consequences rather than by internal mental states. For example, Pavlov showed how a neutral stimulus could elicit a response after pairing with something meaningful, and Skinner demonstrated how different reinforcement schedules change how often a behavior occurs. The other options involve internal experiences, social context, or innate drives, which behaviorism does not use as primary explanations.