Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
4-25-2025
Keywords
adolescence, environment, experiment, John B. Watson, psychologist
Disciplines
Developmental Psychology
Abstract
John B. Watson (1878 – 1958) was an influential American psychologist credited with advancing behaviorism, a psychological approach that considers all behavior to be a result of interactions with the external environment. Watson was born in South Carolina on January 9, 1878, where he lived throughout his childhood. Despite his rebellious adolescent years and poor academic performance, he graduated with a master’s degree from Furman University in South Carolina at the age of 21. He earned a Ph.D. in psychology in 1903 from the University of Chicago, where he studied animal behaviors for his doctoral dissertation. In 1908, Watson accepted a professorship at Johns Hopkins University and commenced a career dedicated to behavioral research.
Recommended Citation
Nelson, Afton and Kracen, Amanda, "John B. Watson" (2025). Essays in Developmental Psychology. 100.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/edp/100