Behaviourism

Question 1

Key question / focus

Answer 1

How can we explain behavior without reference to inner mental states?

Question 2

How “truth” / scientific knowledge is framed

Answer 2

Scientific knowledge focuses on observable regularities of behavior (stimulus → response)

Question 3

Key principle(s) / mechanism

Answer 3

Stimulus–response patterns; behavior as automatic, reactive, reflexive

Question 4

Opposing thinking (typical critique)

Answer 4

Cognitive/interpretive critique: ignores meanings, intentions, norms; reduces social action to observable responses

Question 5

How it explains “not sitting down in a waiting room”

Answer 5

You don’t sit because cues in the environment function as stimuli that trigger a learned response (“stand”). Reinforcement history matters (approval vs. disapproval)

Question 6

Example scenario

Answer 6

You approach a chair; you see a “Keep distance” sign + others standing → you automatically stand. If past standing earned approval (or avoided reprimand), the response is reinforced