John Watson believed that differences in learning experiences were responsible for differences in behavior. He is even quoted as saying: “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in, and I’ll guarantee to take anyone 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 the race of his ancestors.” Do you agree with or disagree with Watson? Why? What do you know about learning that helps support your opinion? Cite your sources as you support your thinking. What aspects of the human experience cannot be explained using behaviorism?

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Personally, I do not agree with Watson’s understanding of the nature vs. nurture dilemma. He claims that any child is devoid of any predispositions and can be conditioned to become any type of specialist. This premise served as the basis for the theory of behaviorism, which prioritized environment in learning. Behaviorism’s inability to explain genetics, identical twin differences, and inheritance of personality constitute the reasons for my disagreement with Watson’s ideas.

Learning is a complex process consisting of both variable and invariable factors. An invariable factor that pertains to all individuals is genetics. It determines personal predisposition toward certain educational endeavors. It is also an aspect that cannot be explained using behaviorism. No matter how consistent an educator is, the most they can do is to adapt brain neural plasticity to educational needs but not change it entirely.

The second aspect that behaviorism cannot explain is differences in learning outcomes among individuals educated in the same conditions. When psychologists analyzed twins’ lives, it became clear that many had similar professions and lifestyles. Yet, it also became apparent that “twins raised in the same physical environment respond differently to reinforcements within that environment.” Had the environment taken precedence, these differences would not have been present.

Finally, Watson’s theory ignores the importance of personality inheritance in humans. Research has established that people do exhibit traits that were passed on to them by previous generations. Inherited personality is also an aspect that cannot be explained by behaviorism alone. If Watson was right, he would be able to turn extroverts into intro introverts, while in reality, it is easier for an extroverted person to learn sales and marketing than for an introvert, but it is not impossible. Ultimately, no amount of conditioning can completely undermine genetics and circumscribe brain predispositions.

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Academic.Tips. (2023) 'John Watson believed that differences in learning experiences were responsible for differences in behavior. He is even quoted as saying: “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in, and I'll guarantee to take anyone 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 the race of his ancestors.” Do you agree with or disagree with Watson? Why? What do you know about learning that helps support your opinion? Cite your sources as you support your thinking. What aspects of the human experience cannot be explained using behaviorism'. 14 March.

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Academic.Tips. (2023, March 14). John Watson believed that differences in learning experiences were responsible for differences in behavior. He is even quoted as saying: “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in, and I'll guarantee to take anyone 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 the race of his ancestors.” Do you agree with or disagree with Watson? Why? What do you know about learning that helps support your opinion? Cite your sources as you support your thinking. What aspects of the human experience cannot be explained using behaviorism? https://academic.tips/question/john-watson-believed-that-differences-in-learning-experiences-were-responsible-for-differences-in-behavior-he-is-even-quoted-as-saying-give-me-a-dozen-healthy-infants-well-formed-and-my-o/

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Academic.Tips. 2023. "John Watson believed that differences in learning experiences were responsible for differences in behavior. He is even quoted as saying: “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in, and I'll guarantee to take anyone 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 the race of his ancestors.” Do you agree with or disagree with Watson? Why? What do you know about learning that helps support your opinion? Cite your sources as you support your thinking. What aspects of the human experience cannot be explained using behaviorism?" March 14, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/john-watson-believed-that-differences-in-learning-experiences-were-responsible-for-differences-in-behavior-he-is-even-quoted-as-saying-give-me-a-dozen-healthy-infants-well-formed-and-my-o/.

1. Academic.Tips. "John Watson believed that differences in learning experiences were responsible for differences in behavior. He is even quoted as saying: “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in, and I'll guarantee to take anyone 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 the race of his ancestors.” Do you agree with or disagree with Watson? Why? What do you know about learning that helps support your opinion? Cite your sources as you support your thinking. What aspects of the human experience cannot be explained using behaviorism?" March 14, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/john-watson-believed-that-differences-in-learning-experiences-were-responsible-for-differences-in-behavior-he-is-even-quoted-as-saying-give-me-a-dozen-healthy-infants-well-formed-and-my-o/.

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Academic.Tips. "John Watson believed that differences in learning experiences were responsible for differences in behavior. He is even quoted as saying: “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in, and I'll guarantee to take anyone 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 the race of his ancestors.” Do you agree with or disagree with Watson? Why? What do you know about learning that helps support your opinion? Cite your sources as you support your thinking. What aspects of the human experience cannot be explained using behaviorism?" March 14, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/john-watson-believed-that-differences-in-learning-experiences-were-responsible-for-differences-in-behavior-he-is-even-quoted-as-saying-give-me-a-dozen-healthy-infants-well-formed-and-my-o/.

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"John Watson believed that differences in learning experiences were responsible for differences in behavior. He is even quoted as saying: “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in, and I'll guarantee to take anyone 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 the race of his ancestors.” Do you agree with or disagree with Watson? Why? What do you know about learning that helps support your opinion? Cite your sources as you support your thinking. What aspects of the human experience cannot be explained using behaviorism?" Academic.Tips, 14 Mar. 2023, academic.tips/question/john-watson-believed-that-differences-in-learning-experiences-were-responsible-for-differences-in-behavior-he-is-even-quoted-as-saying-give-me-a-dozen-healthy-infants-well-formed-and-my-o/.

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