Behavioral psychology, also known as behaviorism, is the study of how human behavior is shaped by the environment. It is a systematic approach to understanding human behavior and assumes that behavior is either a reflex evoked by certain antecedent stimuli or a consequence of environmental factors. Behavioral psychologists study the connection between our minds and our behavior, trying to understand why we behave the way we do and discovering patterns in our actions and behaviors. They are concerned with discovering how humans will behave, so they can build better habits as individuals, create better products as companies, and develop better living spaces as communities.
Behavioral psychology has had a major impact in clinical applications, and mental health counselors and substance abuse therapists often use it to treat mental health disorders. Behavioral psychologists focus on the study, analysis, and treatment of human behavior and treat mental issues based on the theory that all behaviors are the result of environmental stimuli and positive or negative reinforcement.
Some famous behaviorists who founded the study of behavioral psychology include John B. Watson, B. F. Skinner, Edwin Ray Guthrie, Edward C. Tolman, Clark L. Hull, and Kenneth Spence. The theory behind behavioral psychology is that by analyzing and understanding human behavior, it is possible to change it through analysis and therapy.
