What is the primary focus of behaviorism?

Behaviorism primarily focuses on observable behaviors and the ways in which those behaviors are influenced by the environment. This psychological approach emphasizes the significance of studying actions that can be measured and observed, as opposed to exploring internal thoughts or feelings that cannot be directly seen. Pioneering figures such as John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner argued that behavior can be shaped through conditioning processes—both classical and operant—which are all rooted in external stimuli and responses.

This framework suggests that the environment plays a crucial role in shaping behavior through reinforcement and punishment. Unlike other psychological perspectives that delve into cognitive processes or subjective experiences, behaviorism maintains that the best way to understand human and animal behavior is to focus solely on the interactions with the environment, making it distinctly empirical and practical in its methodology.