Check your understanding of the implications of some of the major theories reviewed in this chapter by indicating who is likely to have made each of the statements quoted below. Choose from the following: (a) John B. Watson, (b) B. F. Skinner, and (c) Carl Rogers. You'll find the answers in Appendix A at the back of the book. ___________________ "Our conclusion is that we have no real evidence of the inheritance of traits. I would feel perfectly confident in the ultimately favorable outcome of careful upbringing of a healthy, well-formed baby born of a long line of crooks, murderers and thieves, and prostitutes."

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: (a) John B. Watson

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Theories of the Psychologists

To solve this exercise, we first need to have a brief understanding of the theories of the three psychologists. John B. Watson: He was a prominent psychologist known for his ideas on behaviorism. Watson believed that human behavior is primarily a result of learning and experiences, rather than inherited traits. B. F. Skinner: Skinner was another influential behaviorist who researched operant conditioning, where behavior is shaped by consequences such as rewards and punishments. Like Watson, he also believed that an individual’s behavior is molded by environmental factors, not genetic inheritance. Carl Rogers: Rogers was a humanistic psychologist who focused on the importance of self-actualization and the individual's subjective experiences. He was less focused on observable behavior than Watson and Skinner, instead emphasizing the role of individual psychological growth and self-discovery.
02

Analyze the Quote

Now, let's analyze the given quote: "Our conclusion is that we have no real evidence of the inheritance of traits. I would feel perfectly confident in the ultimately favorable outcome of careful upbringing of a healthy, well-formed baby born of a long line of crooks, murderers, and thieves, and prostitutes." This quote talks about the absence of the inheritance of traits and how proper upbringing can bring a favorable outcome for a baby, despite having a family with a criminal background. It emphasizes the impact of nurture (upbringing) and experiences over nature (inheritance).
03

Attribute the Quote

Based on our understanding of the theories of each psychologist and the content of the quote, we can conclude that the quote is most in line with John B. Watson's behaviorist ideas, which highlight the influence of learning and experiences over inherited traits. Thus, the quote is likely to have been made by (a) John B. Watson.

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