Which psychological perspective is primarily concerned with external stimuli?

The behaviorist perspective is primarily concerned with external stimuli because it focuses on observable behaviors rather than internal thoughts or emotions. Behaviorism emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping behavior through conditioning. According to behaviorists, all behaviors are acquired through interactions with the environment, and thus, they study how external stimuli, such as rewards or punishments, influence behavior.

This perspective arose as a reaction to introspective methods that sought to understand the mind based on internal perceptions and thoughts. Instead, behaviorists advocate for a scientific approach to psychology that relies on quantifiable data gathered from observable behaviors in response to specific stimuli. This makes it particularly relevant when considering the impact of environmental variables on behavior.

In contrast, other perspectives like the humanistic focus more on individual experiences and intrinsic motivation, the cognitive perspective centers on mental processes and internal thought patterns, and the biological perspective examines the physiological and genetic bases for behavior, all of which do not center primarily on external stimuli.