Which theory discounts independent activities of the mind and focuses on objectively observable behaviors and conditioning?

• A. Existential Theory
• B. Behaviorism Theory
• C. Cognitive Theory
• D. Reality/Choice Theory

Answer: (B)

Behaviorism emphasizes observable behavior and conditioning, discounting private mental activity as the domain of science. It holds that psychology should study what can be measured and observed, not introspective thoughts. Learning occurs through associations (classical conditioning) and consequences (operant conditioning), with behavior shaped by environmental stimuli and reinforcement histories. The mind’s inner activities are not the focus; the emphasis is on how actions are elicited, reinforced, or extinguished in response to the surrounding environment. In contrast, existential theory centers on meaning, freedom, and subjective experience; cognitive theory concentrates on internal mental processes like thinking and memory; and reality/choice theory stresses personal responsibility and present choice. That focus on observable behavior and conditioning is what makes behaviorism the best fit for this description.