Behaviourism

Behaviorists highlight the significance of external factors in shaping thoughts within the human mind. A central idea in behaviorism is that every individual enters the world as a "clean slate," with the environment acting as the "chalk" that etches experiences onto the "slate" of the mind. This perspective suggests that individuals are born without a fixed identity, and it is the social and environmental factors that shape who they become. In essence, behaviorism posits that our identities and behaviors are largely influenced by external forces.

Several renowned psychologists are closely associated with the behaviorist school of thought, including Burrhus Skinner, Edward Thorndike, John Watson, and Ivan Pavlov. These psychologists share a common belief in the critical role of external factors in shaping thoughts and behavior.

Two key concepts within behaviorism are "classical conditioning" and "operant conditioning." Classical conditioning, linked to Ivan Pavlov's work, explores how biological responses can be regulated by external stimuli, leading to what is known as a "conditioned response." This occurs when a specific behavior is triggered by an associated stimulus.

Operant conditioning, associated with Burrhus Skinner, focuses on the relationship between behavior and reinforcement. It describes how behavior can be encouraged or strengthened through positive reinforcement. For example, if a child responds positively to a parental instruction and receives praise, this praise acts as a reinforcement, shaping the child’s behavior through operant conditioning.