John B. Watson & Behavioral Psychology Part 1

Many of the theories in present day psychology are derived from the preexisting theories of psychology. Branches of current psychology have roots dating back to the philosophy of ancient Greek times. To understand these current theories, and ways of thinking, it is important to understand the history of psychology. Many historical figures have contributed to the current field of psychology, specifically, to psychology as a science. John B. Watson was a well-known behavioral psychologist who contributed to psychology by introducing behaviorism to the field, and pushing for psychology to be known as a science of observable behavior. To fully understand the impact of his role in psychology on the acceptance of psychology as a science, it is important to understand his life and the development of his theory.

Personal History & Zeitgeist

John B. Watson was born January 9, 1878 near Greenville, South Carolina. His mother, Emma Watson, raised him to be a devout Baptist Christian and John had promised her that he would become a minister later in life. Emma’s extreme religious devotion was in harsh contrast to John’s father, Perkins Watson, who battled alcoholism and left the family in 1891, when John was thirteen years old. John was reportedly very close to his father and, due to his father’s abandonment, began acting out and falling into trouble with the law. It is reported that, although attempts were made by his father to reconcile, John never revived his relationship with his father, and suffered from depression throughout most of his life (Hergenhahn & Henley, 2014).

Despite John’s poor performance in school and his trouble with the law, he was accepted into Furman University when he was fifteen years old, where he completed a maste...

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Jones, M., & Watson, J. (1924). A Laboratory Study of Fear: The Case of Peter. Pedagogical Seminary , 31, 308-315.

Kneessi, D. (n.d.). Harvey A. Carr. Internet Source for Biographies on Psychologists. Retrieved April 10, 2014, from http://faculty.frostburg.edu/mbradley/psyography/datelines_harveycarr.html

Watson, J. (1903). Animal education: An Experimental Study On The Psychical Development Of The White Rat, Correlated With The Growth Of Its Nervous System. Chicago: The University of Chicago.

Watson, J. B., & Lashley, K. S. (1915). Homing and related activities of birds,. Washington: Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Watson, J. B. (1919). Psychology from the standpoint of a behaviorist. Philadelphia: Lippincott.

Watson, M. (n.d.). John B. Watson. Psychology History. Retrieved April 10, 2014, from http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/watson.htm