Psychology’s shift away from structuralism was driven by several key limitations:

• Limited Scope: Structuralism focused solely on analyzing conscious experience, neglecting unconscious processes that significantly influence behavior.
• Introspection Issues: Relying on introspection as the primary research method proved unreliable. Self-reports can be biased and subjective.
• Limited Generalizability: The focus on breaking down the mind into basic elements lacked applicability to real-world behaviors.

However, structuralism did lay valuable groundwork for future psychology:

• Paved the Way for Scientific Psychology: It established a systematic approach to studying the mind, paving the way for more objective methods.
• Importance of Mental Processes: Structuralism highlighted the importance of analyzing mental processes, though later schools expanded on this concept.

Behaviorism:

Pros:

• Objectivity: Behaviorism focused on observable behaviors, leading to more objective and replicable research.
• Practical Applications: Behaviorism’s emphasis on learning and conditioning had practical applications in areas like education and therapy.

Cons:

• Neglects Mental Processes: Behaviorism largely ignored the mind and internal states, leading to an incomplete understanding of human behavior.
• Oversimplification: The focus on external stimuli and responses overlooked the influence of internal factors like thoughts and emotions.

Watson vs. Skinner:

John B. Watson:

• Classical Conditioning: Focused on learning through conditioned reflexes, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a response through pairing with a naturally occurring stimulus.
• Emphasis on Environment: Believed all behavior is learned through environmental conditioning, discounting the role of genes or instincts.

B.F. Skinner:

• Operant Conditioning: Focused on how consequences (reinforcement and punishment) shape behavior. Behaviors followed by positive consequences are strengthened, while those followed by negative consequences are weakened.
• Focus on Reinforcement: Skinner emphasized the role of reinforcement in shaping behavior, offering a more nuanced view of learning than Watson’s classical conditioning.

While behaviorism has limitations, it continues to influence psychology, particularly understanding learning processes and the impact of environmental contingencies on behavior.