What psychological approach is associated with the study of observable behaviors and the influence of the environment on actions?

The psychological approach associated with the study of observable behaviors and the influence of the environment on actions is behaviorism. This approach focuses on how behavior is learned and reinforced through interactions with the environment, emphasizing the importance of observable actions rather than internal mental processes. Behaviorists argue that all behaviors are a result of conditioning, either classical or operant, where external stimuli shape and control behavior.

Behaviorism was pioneered by psychologists such as John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner, who believed that psychology should be a science based on observable and measurable behaviors rather than the introspection of thoughts and feelings. This makes behaviorism particularly useful in contexts such as behavioral modification and therapy, where changing observable behaviors is the goal.

In contrast, other psychological approaches like humanism focus on personal growth and self-actualization, cognitive psychology emphasizes mental processes such as thinking and problem-solving, and psychodynamic theory explores unconscious motivations and conflicts. Each of these approaches considers different aspects of human experience, but behaviorism specifically zeroes in on observable behavior and environmental factors.