What are you thoughts on this quote by John B. Watson?
mommaschu asked:
“Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select–doctor, lawyer, merchant-chief, and yes, even beggar man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors.” (Watson, 1930)
“Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select–doctor, lawyer, merchant-chief, and yes, even beggar man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors.” (Watson, 1930)
Do you agree or disagree? Why?
April 2nd, 2009 at 5:52 am
I agree. Nurture over nature. Every (well-formed) human being has the potential to become any of those things. Of course, I believe Watson was thinking quite highly of himself in his “fatherhood” abilities.
April 4th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I agree that you would be able to do that … it is suggesting that a child’s mind is a blank slate. so even if it is eomething like robbing people all day, if the kid gets rewarded and has no exterior idea of morals he’s going to want to do it more and more.
We are naturally inclined towards some things, but a specific job title doesn’t mean anything about what you are naturally capable of.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:07 am
I agree and disagree ; of course if you brain wash a child and force him to do what you want [ that include violence ] ; yes he will obey ; but if he is free to choose ; well no its not true
April 8th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
He is saying that when a child is brought up under the appropriate conditions which are conducive to learning and self-improvement, that child is capable of ultimately becoming a member of nearly any profession when he becomes an adult.
It’s true. External influences are what shape us positively or negatively, and ultimately inhibit our growth in certain areas.
April 9th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Disagree – Watson is ignoring the effects of genetics in favour of learning.
Studies of twins raised apart have found that they often have behavioural traits in common – approx 50% of individual differences are said to be down to genes.
April 10th, 2009 at 9:04 am
It is not cut and dry. There is some truth but he is not entirely accurate.
Research has supported that many factors are highly influenced by genetic predisposition. The controlled world he speaks of does not, and likely will never, exist. But even if he could determine career, there is a huge variety and range of personalities within those careers. Some would be happy and successful and others would be miserable or lousy at their career. Some would be clearly not a good fit because of the inherited tendencies towards other interests.
It’s more accurate to say there is about a 60/40 split between the influence of environment and biology (nurture and nature).