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The Evolution of Behaviorism

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Discuss the evolution of behavior on the contemporary theories of behavior and cognitive theory of Watson, Pavlov and Skinner. What has changed? What has remained the same? How are these theories used today?

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Watson's theory of behaviorism is a very interesting theory, in which Watson endorses the belief that individuals behaviors are largely influenced and/or developed based on the environment in which those individuals reside in, or are exposed to. The very interesting thing about this theory is that Watson did not believe that an individual's behavior could be studied or investigated by looking for internal mental mechanism within the individual. That would explain why they behaved in a certain manner, but that nearly all behavior was determined by the environment in which that individual was constantly exposed to. The basic premise of this has largely been unchanged, although there other psychological and philosophical perspectives that seek to add other possible reasons for individuals resulting actions and activities.

What has largely changed in reference to the evolution of the contemporary theory and/or philosophy of behaviorism, if the fact that we have more sophisticated technological methods by which to analyze brain activity, but even with this methodology, the behaviorist. It still continues to stand as a very strong rationale for why individuals behave in a manner that they do, as well as the methodologies for effectively changing unwanted behaviors. A very good example of the efficacy of this theoretical perspective, is the fact that modern-day psychologists and sociality is, believe that there is a very strong link between an individual's environment and their behavioral patterns, and this environment can even cause individuals that are goodhearted and ethical people, to behave in ways that are considered to be savage and immoral under the right conditions. Many psychologists and sociologists have endorsed the behaviorist theory, due to the fact that there seems to be a great deal more criminal activity in poverty-stricken areas, and due to the fact that there is a very strong link between poverty, low self-esteem, poor parenting, neglect and abuse, high crime rates, poor ...

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