Early Historical Development of Applied Behavior Analysis

Posted: August 23rd, 2024

Early Historical Development of Applied Behavior Analysis

In 1913, John B. Watson was the first American psychologist to call himself a “behaviorist.” From 1913 to 1974, a series of events and developments took place that helped to shape and contribute to the current approach to practice in applied behavior analysis. For this discussion, please review the assigned readings and the video in this unit.

Please respond to the following:

What approaches were used to understand and study behavior prior to the introduction of behaviorism?
What was John B. Watson’s rationale for focusing on observable behavior and the environment rather than internal events?
What were some important events and developments in behaviorism from Watson’s (1913) declaration of the importance of a behavioral approach through Skinner’s (1974) development of radical behaviorism? Be sure to refer to the important historical figures that drove these developments in applied behavior analysis
Are early (pre-behaviorism) approaches to understanding behavior described in thorough detail?
How did John B. Watson’s conceptualization of a behavioral approach differ from the earlier approaches to understanding behavior?
What was the progression from Watson’s original description of the behavioral approach to Skinner’s introduction of radical behaviorism?

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Early Historical Development of Applied Behavior Analysis

The field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) has its roots in the early 20th century, marked by a significant shift in the understanding and study of human behavior. Prior to the emergence of behaviorism, psychological inquiry was largely dominated by introspective methods and theories that emphasized internal mental states. This paper explores the transition from these early approaches to the development of behaviorism, highlighting key figures and events that shaped the field from John B. Watson’s initial propositions in 1913 to B.F. Skinner’s radical behaviorism in 1974.

Pre-Behaviorism Approaches to Understanding Behavior

Before the advent of behaviorism, psychology was heavily influenced by introspection and psychoanalytic theories. Introspection, championed by Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener, involved self-examination of one’s conscious thoughts and feelings. This method was criticized for its lack of objectivity and scientific rigor (Schultz & Schultz, 2019). Concurrently, Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory focused on unconscious processes and internal conflicts as determinants of behavior (Freud, 1923). These approaches, while foundational, faced challenges due to their subjective nature and limited empirical support.

John B. Watson’s Rationale for Behaviorism

John B. Watson, in his seminal 1913 paper “Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It,” argued for a paradigm shift towards observable behavior and environmental influences. Watson contended that psychology should be a natural science, emphasizing measurable and observable phenomena (Watson, 1913). He believed that focusing on external behavior rather than internal mental states would enhance the objectivity and scientific validity of psychological research. This perspective laid the groundwork for behaviorism, advocating for the study of behavior as a function of environmental stimuli and responses.

Key Developments in Behaviorism

The period from Watson’s declaration to Skinner’s radical behaviorism witnessed several pivotal developments. Watson’s work inspired a generation of psychologists to adopt a behaviorist approach, leading to the rise of neobehaviorism in the 1930s and 1940s. Clark Hull and Edward Tolman were notable figures during this era, contributing theories that integrated behaviorism with cognitive elements (Hull, 1943; Tolman, 1948).

B.F. Skinner emerged as a central figure in the mid-20th century, advancing the field with his concept of radical behaviorism. Skinner emphasized the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior, introducing operant conditioning as a key mechanism (Skinner, 1953). His work extended behaviorism beyond simple stimulus-response models, incorporating the analysis of complex behaviors and verbal behavior (Skinner, 1974).

Differences Between Watson’s and Earlier Approaches

Watson’s behaviorism marked a departure from earlier psychological approaches by rejecting introspection and focusing solely on observable behavior. Unlike Freud’s emphasis on unconscious processes, Watson argued that behavior could be understood without reference to internal mental states. This shift towards environmental determinism and empirical methods distinguished behaviorism from its predecessors, aligning psychology more closely with the natural sciences.

Progression to Radical Behaviorism

The evolution from Watson’s behaviorism to Skinner’s radical behaviorism involved a broadening of the theoretical framework. While Watson focused on stimulus-response relationships, Skinner introduced the concept of operant conditioning, highlighting the role of consequences in behavior modification. Skinner’s radical behaviorism also addressed complex human behaviors, including language and thought, through the lens of environmental interactions and reinforcement histories (Skinner, 1974).

Conclusion

The development of applied behavior analysis from 1913 to 1974 reflects a significant transformation in the study of behavior. John B. Watson’s emphasis on observable behavior and environmental factors laid the foundation for behaviorism, challenging introspective and psychoanalytic traditions. The contributions of key figures such as B.F. Skinner further advanced the field, culminating in the comprehensive framework of radical behaviorism. This historical progression underscores the importance of empirical research and environmental analysis in understanding and modifying behavior.

References

Freud, S. (1923). The Ego and the Id. Hogarth Press.

Hull, C. L. (1943). Principles of Behavior: An Introduction to Behavior Theory. Appleton-Century.

Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2019). A History of Modern Psychology (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. Macmillan.

Skinner, B. F. (1974). About Behaviorism. Knopf.

Tolman, E. C. (1948). Cognitive maps in rats and men. Psychological Review, 55(4), 189-208.

Watson, J. B. (1913). Psychology as the behaviorist views it. Psychological Review, 20(2), 158-177.

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Early Historical Development of Applied Behavior Analysis

Understanding Behavior Prior to Behaviorism

Prior to the introduction of behaviorism, various approaches were employed to comprehend and study behavior. These approaches primarily focused on the internal workings of the mind, such as introspection, which involved examining one’s own thoughts and feelings to gain insight into behavior (James, 1890). Another approach was the study of the unconscious mind, popularized by Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory (Freud, 1915). These early approaches relied heavily on subjective interpretations and lacked empirical rigor.

John B. Watson’s Rationale for Focusing on Observable Behavior

In 1913, John B. Watson, an American psychologist, emphasized the importance of studying observable behavior and the environment, rather than internal events. Watson argued that internal events, such as thoughts and feelings, were not directly observable and therefore could not be reliably studied (Watson, 1913). He believed that by focusing on observable behavior, researchers could gather more objective and reliable data, leading to a better understanding of human behavior.

Important Events and Developments in Behaviorism

Between Watson’s declaration of the importance of a behavioral approach in 1913 and Skinner’s development of radical behaviorism in 1974, several significant events and developments shaped the field of applied behavior analysis. One key figure was Edward Thorndike, who introduced the law of effect, which states that behavior is modified by its consequences (Thorndike, 1911). Another influential figure was B.F. Skinner, who expanded on Watson’s ideas and developed the theory of operant conditioning, which emphasizes the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior (Skinner, 1938). Skinner’s work laid the foundation for radical behaviorism, which focuses on the study of behavior as a function of environmental variables.

Comparison of Early Approaches and Watson’s Conceptualization

Early approaches to understanding behavior, such as introspection and psychoanalytic theory, differed significantly from Watson’s conceptualization of a behavioral approach. While early approaches focused on internal events, Watson’s approach emphasized the study of observable behavior and the environment. This shift in focus marked a significant departure from traditional methods and paved the way for the development of applied behavior analysis.

Progression from Watson to Skinner

The progression from Watson’s original description of the behavioral approach to Skinner’s introduction of radical behaviorism was marked by a series of refinements and expansions. Thorndike’s law of effect and Skinner’s operant conditioning theory built upon Watson’s foundation, providing a more comprehensive understanding of behavior. Skinner’s radical behaviorism, which emerged in the 1970s, represented a culmination of these developments, emphasizing the study of behavior as a function of environmental variables.

References:

Freud, S. (1915). The unconscious. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 6(2), 131-154.

James, W. (1890). The principles of psychology. Henry Holt and Company.

Skinner, B. F. (1938). The behavior of organisms: An experimental analysis. Appleton-Century-Crofts.

Thorndike, E. L. (1911). Animal intelligence: An experimental study of the associative processes in animals. Macmillan.

Watson, J. B. (1913). Psychology as the behaviorist views it. Psychological Review, 20(2), 158-177.