The Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Dead Horses
Watson psychological review attempts to break the traditional and the current theories on the concepts and the terminologies of psychology. Studies have shown that psychology gave attention and concentration on mental phenomena as alleged through self-consciousness (Watson, 1924). This was proved to be inefficient as such means would be subjective and would lead to a lack of objectivity and in return could not add value to scientific knowledge. Therefore, Watson opted to make psychology an objective and tentative branch of science through the introduction of the concept of behaviourism. When Koestler says “the society for the prevention of cruelty to the dead horses” he meant that human beings should not be forced to believe in models of the 19th century that ultimately does not completely solve their problems, he expounds on this in his book, “The Ghost In The Machine” by saying that ” science does not provide ultimate answers, but it can provide pertinent questions” (Koestler, 1968 p.10), he regards the 19th-century models as two distinct cultures which in his opinion cannot make one. Behavioural psychology is a theory that states all actions are acquired via conditioning. Therefore, this paper looks at Koestler’s thoughts on behaviourism.. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Criticism
In his book the ghost in the machine, Koestler argues that the initial intention of behaviourism was to remove images, consciousness, and other non-public phenomena in the field of psychology. This was because the concept of behaviourism was introduced to deal away with surplus introspective techniques. However, studies conducted later proved that the excess phenomena that Watson and others talked about did not exist. Arguable points which were found in the behavioural program were tarnished into a philosophy that had no point at all (Koestler, 1968).
According to Koestler, (1968), the mind of human beings is very hard to study and comprehend because its caught up in the dilemma of being the agent and the object of its study, therefore, it’s hard for the mind to limit its thinking to the findings of studies that were developed from yesterday’s research. Behavioural theory suggests that different behaviours are a result of the conditions an individual is exposed to (Ranchlin, Battalio, Kagel, & Green, 1981). However, Koestler suggests that due to the state that the human mind is in, it is vital that human beings be left to choose all the insights that allow them to comprehend what a single human being makes of their world, their fellow human beings and themselves rather than trying to impose doctrines from studies for individuals to follow.
Conclusion
From the criticism made by Koestler, it’s evident that the ability to come up with efficient relationships between the variable present target behaviours in an individual’s environment is crucial for such active interference approaches. Koestler suggests that the human mind should have options and not be forced to follow theories like behavioural theory because, in his opinion, it does not fully address a single human characteristic.
References
Koestler, A. (1968). The ghost in the machine.
Rachlin, H., Battalio, R., Kagel, J., & Green, L. (1981). Maximization theory in behavioral psychology. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 4(3), 371-388.
Watson, J. B. (1924). Psychology: From the standpoint of a behaviorist. JB Lippincott company.