The new science of behaviorism was highly influenced by its antecedents, namely, animal psychology and functionalism. Watson, the founder of behaviorism, adapted many of the original ideas of animal psychologist as well as functionalists into the basic ideas of the new science. Therefore, these ideas were not entirely new; rather they had been developing within the field of psychology for years. "Like all founders, Watson organized and promoted ideas that already were acceptable to the intellectual Zeitgeist" (Schultz, 2002, p. 247). Objectivism, mechanism, and positivism also influenced the ...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate