
Behaviorism
Behaviorism in philosophy of mind is the theory that human behavior can be understood purely in terms of responses to external stimuli, and not by what happens inside the mind. It suggests we can know the mind entirely through observation of behavior, rejecting the idea of separate mental processes. Essentially, it's like considering a person as a black box, where we focus only on the input (stimuli) and output (behavior), without concern for what happens inside the box.
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Behaviorism is a psychological approach that focuses on observable behaviors rather than internal thoughts or feelings. It suggests that all behaviors are learned through interaction with the environment and can be modified through reinforcement (like rewards) or punishment. Established by figures like John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner, behaviorism emphasizes that behavior can be predicted and controlled, laying the groundwork for techniques used in education, therapy, and animal training. Essentially, it views individuals as products of their surroundings, where experiences shape responses and actions.