Behaviorism is a psychological approach that focuses on observable behaviors and external stimuli rather than internal mental processes. It emerged as a dominant school of thought in the early 20th century, with influential figures such as John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner leading the way.

The core concept of behaviorism is that behavior can be studied scientifically by observing and measuring the actions and responses of individuals to specific stimuli. According to behaviorists, behavior is a result of conditioning, which is the process of learning associations between stimuli and responses.

Behaviorism rejects the study of internal mental processes such as thoughts, emotions, and consciousness, as they cannot be directly observed or measured. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of environmental factors and external influences in shaping behavior. Behaviorists believe that behavior is primarily a result of the interactions between individuals and their environment.

Behaviorism employs the principles of classical conditioning and operant conditioning to explain how behavior is learned and modified. Classical conditioning, famously studied by Ivan Pavlov, involves associating an initially neutral stimulus with a naturally occurring reflex response. Over time, the neutral stimulus comes to evoke the same response as the original stimulus.

Operant conditioning, developed by B.F. Skinner, focuses on the consequences of behavior. It posits that behavior is influenced by its consequences, such as rewards or punishments. Positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior recurring, while negative reinforcement or punishment decreases its likelihood.

Behaviorism has been influential in various fields, including education, therapy, and animal training. Its emphasis on observable behavior and its measurable outcomes has led to the development of behavior modification techniques and behavior therapy approaches that aim to change behavior through conditioning.

While behaviorism was dominant for several decades, it eventually faced criticism for its limited focus on internal mental processes and the subjective aspects of human experience. Over time, alternative approaches such as cognitive psychology emerged, incorporating the study of mental processes alongside behavioral observations.