behaviorist

noun Psychology.

1. the theory or doctrine that human or animal psychology can be accurately studied only through the examination and analysis of objectively observable and quantifiable behavioral events, in contrast with subjective mental states.

n.

coined 1913 by U.S. psychologist John B. Watson (1878-1958) from behavior + -ism. Behaviorist is from the same time.

n.

1. A school of psychology that confines itself to the study of observable and quantifiable aspects of behavior and excludes subjective phenomena, such as emotions or motives.behavioral psychology

A theory that psychology is essentially a study of external human behavior rather than internal consciousness and desires. (See B. F. Skinner)