John B. Watson, a prominent figure in behaviorism, vehemently disagreed with Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory for several reasons:
1. Focus on Observable Behavior:
Watson believed that psychology should only focus on observable behavior, not on unobservable mental processes like the unconscious mind, which Freud emphasized. He argued that studying subjective experiences was unreliable and unscientific.
2. Rejection of Innate Instincts:
Watson rejected Freud's concept of innate instincts, arguing that behavior is primarily shaped by learning and environmental influences. He famously stated, "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, merchant-chief, and yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors."
3. Emphasis on Conditioning:
Watson championed the idea of classical conditioning, which he believed was the primary mechanism of learning. He demonstrated this through his famous experiment with Little Albert, where he conditioned a fear response to a white rat in a baby.
4. Practical Applications:
Watson believed that his approach to psychology had more practical applications, particularly in areas like advertising and child-rearing. He argued that understanding and manipulating behavior could lead to positive social change.
5. Scientific Methodology:
Watson emphasized the importance of using rigorous scientific methods to study behavior, rejecting Freud's reliance on introspection and case studies. He believed that psychology should be a true science, based on objective observation and experimentation.
In summary, Watson's disagreement with Freud stemmed from their fundamental differences in the nature of psychology, the role of learning, and the methods used to study human behavior. Watson's focus on observable behavior and conditioning laid the groundwork for behaviorism, which became a dominant force in psychology for decades.
