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Watson, Skinner, and Tolman: Comparing Behaviorist Psychologists

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Abstract

This paper examines the psychological contributions of three foundational behaviorists: John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner, and Edward C. Tolman. It explores each thinker's distinctive theoretical approach — from Watson's radical rejection of consciousness, to Skinner's operant conditioning and application to language, to Tolman's pioneering work on cognitive maps and latent learning. The paper compares and contrasts how these three figures agreed and diverged on the role of observable behavior, internal mental states, and environmental influence. It concludes that while all three advanced understanding of human behavior, Skinner's operant conditioning has proven the most broadly influential.

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What makes this paper effective

The paper efficiently introduces each theorist with specific contributions before moving to comparison, giving readers a clear foundation for the contrast section.
Direct quotations from primary and secondary sources are used to support claims rather than simply assert them, lending credibility to the analysis.
The contrast section explicitly links the three thinkers, showing how each built on or diverged from the others rather than treating them in total isolation.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper demonstrates the compare-and-contrast technique in an academic context: it first establishes individual profiles for each psychologist, then synthesizes the differences in a dedicated section. This structure — describe, then compare — is an effective model for psychology survey essays, allowing readers to hold each theorist's framework in mind before encountering direct juxtaposition.

Structure breakdown

The paper opens with a brief framing statement, then devotes one section each to Tolman, Watson, and Skinner. A dedicated "Contrasting Approaches" section draws direct comparisons across all three. A short conclusion summarizes the relative influence of each figure. The Works Cited follows MLA format. Total structure is six logical sections across approximately 650 words.

Introduction

This paper examines the psychological work of John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner, and Edward C. Tolman, along with the impact each of these three figures had on society. It also compares and contrasts their contributions to the field of behaviorism.

Edward C. Tolman and Cognitive Behaviorism

Edward C. Tolman is described by author Bernard J. Baars as the "only major figure" in the emerging field of behaviorism "who advocated the possibility of mental representation" (Baars, 1986, p. 61). Baars writes that more than any other behaviorist, Tolman "anticipated the cognitive point-of-view… [and] thought it necessary to postulate events other than stimuli and responses" (61). Tolman made significant contributions to psychology, including: (a) the use of cognitive maps in rats; (b) the concept of "latent learning," pioneered through experiments with rats; (c) the concept of "intervening variables"; and (d) the discovery that rats do not learn their movements solely for rewards — they also learn when no rewards are given, a finding that supported his latent learning theory (Geary, 2002, pp. 2–3).

Tolman's ideas required a belief in "unobservable representations" and "purposes," which placed him outside the boundary of what was then considered "truly scientific psychology" (Baars, 62). Nevertheless, Tolman is credited with developing a theory of learning that posits learning as emerging from "bits of knowledge and cognitions about the environment and how the organism relates to it" (VanderZwaag, 1998).

John B. Watson and the Birth of Behaviorism

John B. Watson coined the term "behaviorism" in his attempt to revolutionize the study of human psychology (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [IEP]). His approach was radically different from that of other psychologists. Watson's framework led, scientifically, "to the ignoring of consciousness" and to the illegitimacy of "making consciousness a special object of observation" (IEP). Watson insisted on making "behavior, not consciousness, the objective point of our attack" (IEP, quoting Watson). His central argument was that behavior — not consciousness — was the key to placing the study of human psychology on a truly scientific footing.

In practical terms, Watson urged deeper investigation into verifiable, observable areas of human behavior, effectively rejecting Sigmund Freud's theories on consciousness (Stateuniversity.com). Watson was confident in his belief that by manipulating the environment — which he considered "the critical mechanism for learning" — one could shape the future of any child. This conviction was captured in his famous declaration:

"Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I'll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select — doctor, lawyer, artist — regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors" (Watson, quoted in Stateuniversity.com).

2 Locked Sections · 340 words remaining

B.F. Skinner and Operant Conditioning · 145 words

"Skinner's stimulus-response and language behavior"

Contrasting Approaches · 195 words

"Differences and similarities across all three theorists"

Conclusion

Stateuniversity.com. "John B. Watson (1878–1958) — Popularizing Behaviorism, The Little Albert Study, the 'Dozen Healthy Infants,' Life after the University," 2005. Retrieved October 27, 2012, from http://education.stateuniversity.com.

VanderZwaag, Lora. "Edward C. Tolman (1886–1959)." Psychology History, 1998. Retrieved October 27, 2012, from

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Key Concepts in This Paper

Operant Conditioning Latent Learning Cognitive Maps Stimulus-Response Verbal Behavior Reinforcement Observable Behavior Classical Behaviorism Intervening Variables Environmental Control