Understanding Behaviorism and Cognitivism

Behaviorism and cognitivism are two important ideas in psychology. They each explain how we act and think in different ways. Knowing about both is helpful for anyone learning about psychology. It helps us see how these ideas affect research, therapy, and teaching.

Key Ideas of Behaviorism

Behaviorism started in the early 1900s with thinkers like John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner. The main idea is that psychology should focus on what we can see—our behavior—rather than what’s happening inside our heads. Here are some important points about behaviorism:

• External Focus: Behaviorists believe that everything we do is a reaction to things happening around us. For instance, if a child is given a reward for finishing homework, they are more likely to do it again because of that reward.

• Learning Through Conditioning: Behaviorists say we learn mainly through two ways:

  • Classical Conditioning: This is about learning through connection. An example is when Pavlov trained dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell because they associated it with food.
  • Operant Conditioning: This type focuses on rewards and punishments. Skinner showed that our actions can change based on the consequences we face afterward.

• Nature vs. Nurture: Behaviorists think that our environment plays a big role in how we behave. They believe that we can change our behavior by changing what happens around us.

Key Ideas of Cognitivism

Cognitivism began as a response to behaviorism in the mid-20th century with theorists like Jean Piaget and Ulric Neisser. This idea looks more at what happens inside our minds than just our actions. Important points about cognitivism include:

• Mental Process Focus: Cognitivists believe it’s important to understand how people think, remember, and learn. They study how we pay attention and solve problems.

• Information Processing: Cognitivism compares the brain to a computer. It says that we take in information, just like a computer does. This involves three main steps:

  • Encoding: This is when we first notice information.
  • Storage: This is how we keep information over time.
  • Retrieval: This is when we need to get that information back.

• Importance of Thoughts: Unlike behaviorism, cognitive psychology says that our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings greatly affect how we act. For example, if a student believes they can succeed, they’re more likely to be motivated to study.

• Challenging Strict Behaviorism: Cognitivists believe you can’t fully understand behavior without looking at thoughts. They argue that our actions are often influenced by how we think.

Key Differences Between the Two

1. What They Study:

   • Behaviorism: Looks at actions we can see and ignores internal thoughts.
   • Cognitivism: Studies how we think and feel, believing these things affect our actions.

2. How They See Learning:

   • Behaviorism: Thinks learning is just a change in behavior from conditioning. It doesn’t focus much on thinking.
   • Cognitivism: Sees learning as a process of understanding information—how we get, keep, and use it.

3. The Role of Environment:

   • Behaviorism: Places great importance on the outside environment and how it shapes our choices and thoughts.
   • Cognitivism: Acknowledges the environment but believes that how we use our minds is just as important.

4. Research Methods:

   • Behaviorism: Uses experiments and focuses on what can be observed, often in controlled lab settings.
   • Cognitivism: Uses different ways to study, including experiments, real-life cases, and tasks that check how we remember and think.

5. Effects on Therapy:

   • Behaviorism: Therapy often tries to change bad behaviors using rewards and punishments, like Applied Behavior Analysis.
   • Cognitivism: Therapy usually aims to change the way people think, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on correcting negative thoughts.

In conclusion, behaviorism and cognitivism are two key approaches in psychology, each helping us understand human behavior in unique ways. Behaviorism looks at what we can see and how our environment affects us. On the other hand, cognitivism explores the mental processes that guide our actions. Learning about both helps students and professionals better understand how we behave and think.