What is Behaviourism?

Behaviourism is widely termed as the study of behaviour and aspects of behaviour, such as emotions, as observable and quantifiable sources. This view states that behaviour is a learned skill and everything that humans do can and should be regarded as behaviour.

For example, Behaviourists argue that language is a learned skill through the process of operant conditioning (positive and negative reinforcement), according to Skinner (1957).

EH
Answered by Elizabeth H. Psychology tutor

4623 Views

See similar Psychology A Level tutors

Related Psychology A Level answers

All answers ▸

John is in his twenties and has a phobia of animals ever since he was bitten by a dog in his teenage years. Seeing pets causes John extreme anxiety and he goes out his way to avoid contact with animals. How might Behaviourism explain John's phobia?


Discuss one strength and one weakness of the biological approach to psychology


What is the difference between compliance and internalisation?


Outline and evaluate the biological explanation of aggression (16 marks)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning