J.B. Watson: The Founder of Behaviourism

by David Cohen

Book by Cohen, David

304 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1979

About the author

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Reviews

[Mike Zickar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable book on the psychologist John Watson. This book focuses more on the biographical details of Watson's life, more so than placing his ideas within a broader intellectual tradition or evaluating his contributions to psychology. The book isn't fawning, however, in that the author isn't afraid to discuss Watson's personal limitations or his dogmatic approach to psychology.

[Robert Pachella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although much is known about Watson's ideas, not all that much is known about his life. I have been learning and teaching about Watson for over fifty years, but now I can personalize him and make him real as an individual to my students. I started this book with a dislike for Watson as a psychologist (although agreeing with many of his ideas and criticisms) but I came away from the book liking him as a human being (even in the midst of his obvious flaws).