John, Adam, Ben

1. John, Adam, Ben John Broadus Watson

2. CHILDHOOD Watson’s Father On January 9, 1878, John Broadus Watson was born into a poor family in Travelers Rest, SC. He lived among five other children in a house, still in existence, off of SC highway 276. Watson’s mother, Emma Kesiah Watson, wanted him to become a minister. His father, however, left when Watson was very young. Watson’s Mother Watson’s House During Childhood

3. Education • Started his education at GHS. • Enrolled in Furman University in 1894, at age 16. • Originally he was not interested in Psychology because he received some of his lowest scores in this subject. • He failed one of his classes for turning in his final paper “backward” and had to attend a fifth year at Furman. Greenville High when Watson was a student

4. Education (cont.) • When Watson arrived at the University of Chicago in 1900, he became immersed in a highly intellectual setting. • At this time Chicago was home to the orientation of America’s own version of Psychology. • Watson’s educational years at UC included classes with many esteemed professors such as James Hayden Tufts (1862-1942), and Edward Scribner Ames (1870-1958). • His free time was spent in a lab observing the behavior of rats and monkeys.

5. Teaching • After graduating from the University of Chicago, Watson decided to stay for five years as an assistant/instructor in psychology. • It was in this highly influential period of Watson’s life that he began to formulate his work on behaviorism. • "More and more the thought presented itself: Can't I find out by watching...[animal] behavior everything that the other students are finding out by using [human] O[bserver]s?” - John B. Watson • When Watson was 30 years old, he was offered a job as a full professor in Baltimore, it was here that he fully formulated his views on behaviorism.

6. Behaviorism After many years of influence from some of the most prominent psychological figures of his time, combined with his own theories, Watson formulated his theory of Behaviorism. This form of psychology became the widely accepted view from the 1920s to the 1960s. This theory strongly contrasted with the previous theory of the Eugenics movement. This movement emphasized heredity where behaviorism was in stark contrast to that. Behaviorism was popular with the public as well as the scientific community because it fit in well with the American Dream fever that was sweeping the country.

7. Psychological Influences • While at the University of Chicago, Watson had the opportunity to discuss his psychological views with several esteemed leaders in the field of psychology. • James Mark Baldwin, who actually hired Watson at UC, helped him to prosper in his new and intellectual environment.

8. "Little Albert" Experiment • In this 1920 experiment, John B. Watson along with other psychologists attempted to determine to source of unnatural fears. • The subject of this experiment, an infant named Albert B, was given a white rat to play with; it was noted that Albert liked the rat, and was even noted playing with the animal. • The next time Albert got the rat, the psychologists made a loud noise that made Albert cry. • They repeated this many times, until when Albert was given the rat without the noise he would cry anyway. • To verify their results, the psychologists gave Albert a white rabbit and a Santa Claus mask, both of which made Albert cry. • Albert was taught to be scared of anything that was white and furry. • Despite its moral conflicts, this experiment was a breakthrough in the workings of the human mind.

9. Advertising Career • After an unfortunate scandal that led to his resignation at John Hopkins University, Watson moved to New York to take a job working at J. Walter Thompson’s advertising agency. • Later, Watson changed jobs and started working at the William Esty Company. • After working here for ten years Watson eventually retired.

10. On The Farm • During Watson’s successful career in advertising, he and his family lived on a farm in Westport, Connecticut. • Watson spent his days on the farm racing about the lake in his speedboat. • He also enjoyed farming and riding horses. • After living on this farm for many years, Watson left his home at Whippoorwill Farm and moved to a more serene establishment in Woodbury.

11. Watson's Letter to Furman • In 1950, Psychology students at Furman began the publication of a Journal . • They dedicated the first issue to Watson. • Here Watson writes about life at Furman, as well as his past professors.

12. A symposium at Furman, honoring the 100th year of Watson’s birth, attracted more than 2000 people from all over the nation. • Watson also has a series of psychology labs named on his honor at Furman University. • In 1984, Watson was recognized as part of the SC Hall of Science and Technology. • On U.S. Highway 26 near Travelers Rest, SC, an honorary marker was set up in recognition of Watson. Commemoration

13. Bibliography • "John Broadus Watson."Dictionary of American Biography, Supplement 6: 1956-1960. American Council of Learned Societies, 1980. -Biographical essay on John’s life. • Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: The Gale Group. 2003. http://www.galenet.com/servlet/BioRC -Biographical essay on John’s Life. • http://alpha.furman.edu/~einstein/watson/watson1.htm -Details his life and education in stages. • http://greenvillehigh.greenville.k12.sc.us/departs/English/litperc/HallofFame/JohnWatson/2 -Sample power point project of Watson. • http://www.betterlucktomorrow.com/character_sites/steve/Little%20Albert.htm -Info about the “Little Albert“ Experiment. •  http://www.siop.org/tip/backissues/TipApril00/7Diclemente.htm -Info about Watson, his education, and psychology. • http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Psych/rwozniak/watson.html -Info about Watson, psychology, and behaviorism.

14. Group Members • John- Research, Creating, and Typing Slides • Ben- Research, Creating, and Typing Slides • Adam- Typing, Bibliography, and Animation