While the study of behavior has roots in ancient philosophy, John B. Watson is widely credited as the founder of behaviorism, a school of thought that emphasizes the study of observable behaviors and their relationship to environmental stimuli. Watson's 1913 paper, "Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It," is considered a landmark in the field, laying the groundwork for a scientific approach to studying behavior.
However, it's crucial to acknowledge that earlier researchers like Ivan Pavlov, who conducted groundbreaking experiments on conditioned reflexes, and Edward Thorndike, who studied animal learning, also played a significant role in shaping the field. These pioneers laid the foundation for Watson's work and continued to contribute to the development of behaviorism.
