The early research of John B. Watson: Before the behavioral revolution

Abstract

Presents an overview of Watson's pre-1913 research that focuses on (1) his doctoral thesis and 1st book; (2) his studies with H. Carr on the role of the various sense modalities in rats' maze learning; (3) his collaboration with R. M. Yerkes on the design and construction of psychophysical equipment for the quantitative study of vision and on experiments on the visual capabilities of monkeys, rabbits, rats, and birds; and (4) his extensive naturalistic studies in Florida on the behavior of noddy and sooty terns, parts of which anticipated better known subsequent research on imprinting and instinctual drift. It is suggested that Watson's commitment to the development of an objective, natural science of behavior is evident throughout his early research. In addition, his research shows that his range of interests and scientific sophistication were greater than typical descriptions of his work indicate and that they extended into what would now be called ethology, comparative psychology, psychophysiology, neuropsychology, and behavior analysis.