Behavior Quote by John B. Watson
“There are... for us no instincts—we no longer need the term in psychology. Everything we have been in the habit of calling an 'instinct' today is a result largely of training—belonging to man's learned behavior.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: "Behaviorism and Modern Psychology", 1913
Argues that what we call instincts are actually learned behaviors shaped by environment and training, not innate drives.
In simple terms: Instincts are learned, not innate.
Key Takeaway
Recognize behavior as product of learning.
Themes
behaviorism
learning
nature vs nurture
psychology
human development
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- education
- parenting
- workplace training
- habit formation
- therapy
Key Concepts
conditioned responses
environmental influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view affect responsibility for actions?
- Can innate predispositions be completely overridden?
A Different Perspective
Overlooks innate biological factors that also affect behavior.
![“...[C]ulture-learned behavior patterns so deeply engrained they produce unconscious involuntary reactions-is a prison.” quote by John Howard Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/56d/john-howard-griffin-21519_crime_c-ulture-learned-behavior-patterns-so-de_1125352.jpg)
