In behaviorism, a core assumption is that all behavior has _____________.

• A. a primary purpose of self-actualization and personal growth
• B. an identifiable cause in the environment, such as antecedents and consequences
• C. an unconscious origin that can only be revealed through dream analysis
• D. a genetic basis that is largely independent of learning

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that behaviorism is a psychological approach focusing on observable behaviors rather than internal mental states.
2. Recognize that behaviorists believe behavior is learned and influenced by the environment, emphasizing the role of external stimuli and responses.
3. Identify that in behaviorism, every behavior is thought to have an identifiable cause, which includes antecedents (events before the behavior) and consequences (events after the behavior).
4. Contrast this with other psychological perspectives that might emphasize unconscious motives, genetic factors, or self-actualization, which are not central to behaviorism.
5. Conclude that the core assumption in behaviorism is that all behavior has an identifiable cause in the environment, such as antecedents and consequences.