VirtualSC Psychology Practice Exam 2026 - Free Psychology Practice Questions and Study Guide

The approach that emphasizes the importance of observable behavior and the environment is behaviorism. This perspective focuses on how external stimuli shape our actions and reactions, positing that all behaviors are learned from the environment through interactions and experiences. Behaviorists, such as B.F. Skinner and John Watson, argue that psychology should concentrate on observable behaviors rather than internal mental states, which cannot be measured effectively. They believe that by understanding the relationship between stimuli and responses, effective conditioning and behavior modification can occur.

In contrast, humanistic psychology focuses more on individual experiences, personal growth, and self-actualization, emphasizing subjective experiences over observable actions. Psychodynamic theory centers on unconscious processes and the influence of childhood experiences, prioritizing internal mental states and conflicts rather than observable behavior. Lastly, cognitive psychology studies mental processes such as thinking, memory, and problem-solving while not primarily focusing on observable behavior and its environmental influences. Thus, behaviorism distinctly stands out for its emphasis on observables and environmental factors shaping behavior.