Who introduced the concept of behaviorism?

The concept of behaviorism was introduced by John B. Watson in the early 20th century. Watson emphasized the study of observable behaviors rather than the internal mental states that were the focus of prior psychological theories. He advocated for a scientific approach to psychology, suggesting that behaviors could be measured and analyzed, which laid the groundwork for future research in psychology.

Watson's work shifted the focus of psychology towards a more objective form of study, which diverged significantly from psychoanalytic approaches championed by figures like Sigmund Freud. While B.F. Skinner and Ivan Pavlov contributed significantly to the fields of operant conditioning and classical conditioning respectively, it was Watson who established behaviorism as a formal school of thought, marking a significant transition in the evolution of psychology as a discipline.