Which of the following psychologists was NOT a behaviourist?
a. Watson
b. Thorndike
c. Skinner
d. Maslow
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is d. Maslow.
Explanation:
B.F. Skinner, John B. Watson, and Edward Thorndike are all considered behaviorists, while Abraham Maslow is not.
Watson was a foundational figure in behaviorism. He argued that psychology should focus on observable behavior rather than internal mental states. Watson believed that behavior is shaped by the environment, and he emphasized the importance of conditioning in shaping behaviors.
Thorndike is best known for his work on the law of effect, which states that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by negative outcomes are less likely to occur. This was a key principle in behaviorist learning theories.
Skinner, another key figure in behaviorism, developed the concept of operant conditioning. Skinner’s work focused on how reinforcement and punishment affect the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. He created the Skinner box, an experimental apparatus to study operant conditioning in animals.
Maslow, on the other hand, was a humanistic psychologist, not a behaviorist. He is most famous for his hierarchy of needs, which suggests that human behavior is motivated by a series of hierarchical needs starting from basic physiological needs to self-actualization. Maslow’s approach was more concerned with understanding the potential for growth and self-fulfillment in humans, rather than focusing solely on observable behavior as behaviorists did. His theories contrasted with behaviorism by emphasizing internal motivations and personal development rather than external stimuli and responses.
In summary, Maslow’s humanistic approach stands in contrast to the behaviorist framework, which seeks to explain behavior through observable actions and environmental influences.