What does the behavioral perspective in psychology primarily focus on?

The behavioral perspective in psychology primarily emphasizes observable behaviors and the ways in which individuals respond to various stimuli in their environment. This approach arose in reaction to earlier psychological theories that focused heavily on internal mental processes, such as thoughts and emotions. Rather than speculating about what happens inside an individual's mind, the behavioral perspective maintains that psychology should study behavior that can be seen and measured directly.

Behaviorists, such as John Watson and B.F. Skinner, conducted experiments to understand how conditioning (both classical and operant) shapes behavior. They believe that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning, suggesting that our actions are responses to environmental cues rather than results of innate qualities or unconscious conflicts. This perspective prioritizes empirical evidence and relies on rigorous scientific methods to understand and modify behavior.

Thus, the correct answer is centered on observable actions and reactions, which form the cornerstone of the behavioral approach in psychology. This makes it distinct from the other perspectives, which delve into mental processes, unconscious influences, or biological factors that impact behavior.