Identify the core belief of Behaviorism as described in the material.

• A. Behaviorism is a spiritual theory focusing on inner drives
• B. Behaviorism is a learning approach; environment manipulates biological and psychological drives and needs resulting in development
• C. Behaviorism emphasizes cognitive schemas and mental representations
• D. Behaviorism claims development is entirely determined by genetics

Answer: (B)

Behaviorism treats development as a learning process shaped by the environment. It holds that observable behavior is influenced and modified by external stimuli and consequences, with the environment effectively directing biological and psychological drives and needs through conditioning. This emphasis on learning from environmental contingencies is why this option is the best choice.

The other ideas lean toward internal or genetic factors (spiritual or inner drives, cognitive mental representations, or genetic determinism), which behaviorism does not emphasize.