What do behaviorists generally discount in their approach to learning?

Behaviorists focus on observable behaviors and the ways in which the environment influences these behaviors. Their approach emphasizes measurable and observable actions rather than the internal mental processes. This means that behaviorists generally discount the independent activities of the mind, such as thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that cannot be directly observed or measured.

This emphasis on the external and observable leads behaviorists to prioritize conditioning and reinforcement as key mechanisms of learning. This stance contrasts with cognitive approaches that value the role of mental processes. By focusing on external stimuli and responses, behaviorists seek to understand and predict behavior through empirical observation rather than introspection or unobservable cognitive activities.