Final answer:
J. B. Watson and B. F. Skinner believed that behavior is learned through conditioning and reinforcement. They were staunch behaviorists who focused on observable behavior and externally elicited responses, excluding cognition from their study. The correct answer is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
J. B. Watson and B. F. Skinner are two prominent figures associated with the school of thought known as behaviorism. They believed that behavior is learned through conditioning and reinforcement (Answer C), rather than through cognitive processes, unconscious desires, or innate instincts. They emphasized that psychology should be an objective science focusing only on observable behavior, without considering the unobservable mental processes.
The work of Watson and Skinner diverged from other psychological approaches like structuralism or Freudian theories, which focused on inner experience. Watson, often considered the father of behaviorism, and Skinner, known for his work on operant conditioning, held the view that all human behavior could be understood in terms of environmental stimuli and the responses they evoke, reinforced or punished over time. This perspective led Skinner to develop the operant conditioning chamber, also known as the Skinner box, to study the principles of behavior modification.
Behaviorism gained significant support in the early 20th century, as it promised a more objective approach to studying psychology, one that could be clearly measured and controlled. However, the cognitive revolution that took place starting in the 1950s brought back interest in mental processes—something behaviorists like Watson and Skinner intentionally ignored. Despite this, behaviorism's impact on psychology, particularly in the areas of learning, behavior modification, and conditioning, remains substantial.