John Broadus Watson's Techniques Of Classical Conditioning

John Broadus Watson was an American psychologist who established that psychology should study only observable behavior, he was determined to demonstrate that fears could be conditioned, through a processes involving an association of stimuli. Watson believed that the goal of psychology must be to study something that is definable and observable. He was doing his research on conditioning of fear in humans. Watson had already done research to prove that young children are not naturally afraid of animals. Watson believed that perception should be studied by means of conditioning procedures (Hall 186). In other words, behavior is the relationship between stimuli and responses. The goal then of behaviorism is to predict and control behavior.
Watson began conducting research with children at John Hopkins Hospital and got the opportunity to study infant reflex and emotional responses. To demonstrate that …show more content…
The terms used in classical conditioning theories are deliberately abstract so that their use can uncover the common principles behind different behaviors and behavioral challenges, like obesity, smoking, drug dependence, and anxiety disorders (Bouton81). We should give thanks to Watson’s discoveries of classic conditioning, as it provides us with very important techniques to help with modern day behavior challenges. I can say that I have used Watson’s techniques of classical conditioning on my children and it was very effective in modifying the unwanted response they displayed. Behaviors are very prevalent in today’s society and can use change. Especially, maladaptive behaviors such as drug use, anxiety and depression just to name a few. With the knowledge Watson has left us, many people will benefit from applying this knowledge and modifying their responses to certain stimuli that may be causing an unwanted reaction or