Why were behaviorists unlikely to view cognition as a part of learning?

• A. Because behaviorists thought that emotions were more important than cognition in learning
• B. Because behaviorists focused on observable behaviors and believed that internal mental processes could not be objectively measured
• C. Because behaviorists considered cognition to be the primary driver of all learning
• D. Because behaviorists believed that learning only occurred through genetic inheritance

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the core principle of behaviorism: Behaviorists emphasize the study of observable and measurable behaviors rather than internal mental states.
2. Recognize that cognition refers to internal mental processes such as thinking, memory, and problem-solving, which are not directly observable.
3. Note that behaviorists believed scientific psychology should focus on what can be objectively measured, which led them to exclude cognition from their study of learning.
4. Recall that behaviorists explained learning primarily through conditioning (classical and operant), which involves stimulus-response relationships rather than mental processes.
5. Conclude that behaviorists were unlikely to view cognition as part of learning because they prioritized observable behavior and rejected internal mental states as valid scientific data.