Final answer:
The behavioral science approach is a perspective within social sciences that suggests behavior can largely be analyzed and predicted through genetics and evolutionary pressures. It includes fields like sociobiology and behavioral biology, and faces discussion regarding the balance of nature versus nurture influences. The cognitive revolution has also influenced this approach by re-focusing attention on mental processes alongside observable behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The behavioral science approach is a line of thought within the social sciences that applies empirical scientific methods to the study of human and animal behavior. Drawing from modes of investigation adopted within biology and evolutionary theory, this approach suggests that much of behavior can be understood through the lens of genetics and natural selection. Sociobiology is a key component of this movement, postulating that social interactions and behavioral patterns are largely shaped by evolutionary pressures. While this field has significantly contributed to our understanding of social organization, it has faced criticism from those concerned with the nature versus nurture debate, such as the late Stephen Jay Gould, who argued that environmental factors also play a crucial role in shaping behavior.
Complementing this approach is the field of behavioral biology, which examines the biological underpinnings of behavior and the evolutionary mechanisms that underlie changes in activity in response to different stimuli. Behavioral biology intersects with areas such as ethology, comparative psychology, and neurobiology, each disciplinary angle providing unique insights. The cognitive revolution further expanded the behavioral scientific framework by reintroducing the consideration of mental processes within the realm of psychology, thus blending the study of observable behavior with cognitive science.
Behaviorism and cognitive psychology have both influenced the methodology of behavioral science by emphasizing objectivity and the scientific inquiry of mental and behavioral processes. The ultimate goal has always been to understand the complex interactions between genetics, environmental influences, and evolutionary biology in shaping behavior.