The behavioral perspective is the idea that if psychology was to be a
science, then it must focus on events, which are directly observable on
behavior, rather than on mental life. The behavioral perspective maintains the
primary emphasis on observable behavior and its relation to environmental
events. Behavioral perspective is through reinforcement, which is the idea that
patterns of emitted behavior can be selected by their consequences. Cognitive
perspective is centered on the description of the nature and development of the
representation of knowledge. It comes from three points of view, which are the
theory of information processing, the inability of behaviorism to provide a
comprehensive account for all aspects of human behavior, and the invention of the
computer.
Behavioral perspective is the theory that the majority of all behavior is
learned from the environment after birth. Freewill is considered to be an
illusion, because our environment determines behavior. Behaviorists believe
that only behavior should be observed, not our minds, since we cannot see into
other people’s minds. There is no way to know if a person is honestly answering
a question so it is irrelevant. Behaviorists use strict laboratory experiments,
usually on animals, such as rats or pigeons. They test animals because the laws
of learning are universal, there are only a quantitative difference between
animals and humans, and animals are practically and ethically more convenient
to test.
Cognitive psychologists think that mental processes should and can be
investigated scientifically. Models of psychological functions can be proposed,
and these models can be carried out to confirm, refute, or modify them by
testing observable behavior and conscious report. Cognitive processes actively organize
and manipulate information we receive. Most cognitive psychologists use a
nomothetic approach to discover human cognitive processes. Some have also
adopted idiographic techniques such as laboratory experiments and case studies.