External stimuli shaping behavior with emphasis on observable behavior rather than internal processes.

External stimuli shaping behavior with emphasis on observable behavior rather than internal processes.

• A. Cognitivism
• B. Humanism
• C. Behaviorism
• D. Constructivism

Answer: (C)

External stimuli shaping behavior with emphasis on observable behavior rather than internal processes is the essence of behaviorism. This view holds that what we can see and measure—the environment, the prompts it provides, and the resulting actions—drives learning, while internal thoughts or feelings are not the focus of study. By looking at how reinforcement, punishment, and associations from the outside world change responses, we can predict and shape behavior. Classic demonstrations include Pavlov’s conditioning, where a neutral stimulus becomes tied to a meaningful one, and Skinner’s operant conditioning, where consequences strengthen or weaken behaviors. Other theories focus more on what happens inside the mind. Cognitivism centers on mental processes like thinking, memory, and problem-solving. Humanism emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and subjective experience. Constructivism argues that learners build knowledge through experience and social interaction. The description here aligns most closely with behaviorism because it prioritizes observable actions and environmental influences over hidden mental processes.

External stimuli shaping behavior with emphasis on observable behavior rather than internal processes is the essence of behaviorism. This view holds that what we can see and measure—the environment, the prompts it provides, and the resulting actions—drives learning, while internal thoughts or feelings are not the focus of study. By looking at how reinforcement, punishment, and associations from the outside world change responses, we can predict and shape behavior. Classic demonstrations include Pavlov’s conditioning, where a neutral stimulus becomes tied to a meaningful one, and Skinner’s operant conditioning, where consequences strengthen or weaken behaviors.

Other theories focus more on what happens inside the mind. Cognitivism centers on mental processes like thinking, memory, and problem-solving. Humanism emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and subjective experience. Constructivism argues that learners build knowledge through experience and social interaction. The description here aligns most closely with behaviorism because it prioritizes observable actions and environmental influences over hidden mental processes.