Final answer:
Charles Darwin established a scientific basis for studying children with the publication of 'Biographical Sketch of an Infant' in 1877, thereby contributing to the study of child development in addition to his well-known work on evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
With the 1877 publication of Biographical Sketch of an Infant, Charles Darwin established a scientific basis for studying children. This early work was among the first to apply systematic observation to understand child development, setting the stage for later psychologists to explore various aspects of human growth and learning. While Charles Darwin is more widely known for his work on evolution, his contributions to child development are also significant.
It is interesting to note the relevance of observational learning within the context of psychology's history. The concept of observational learning was proposed by Albert Bandura, a psychologist well-known for his work on social learning theory. This theory emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others, and is a key aspect of learning and development.
In terms of behaviorism, it's important to recognize that John Watson is considered the father of this school of thought, with landmark contributions towards establishing psychology as an objective science. Furthermore, B.F. Skinner's research on operant conditioning, involving reinforcement and punishment, became integral to behaviorist theory.