Dr john watson wikipedia

John Broadus Watson January 9, — September 25, was an American psychologist who popularized the scientific theory of behaviorism , establishing it as a psychological school.

John watson contribution to psychology

He was also the editor of Psychological Review from to He was born on January 9, In bringing him up, she subjected Watson to harsh religious training that later led him to develop a lifelong antipathy toward all forms of religion and to become an atheist. In an attempt to escape poverty, Watson's mother sold their farm and brought Watson to Greenville, South Carolina , [ 2 ] to provide him a better opportunity for success.

However, the initial transition would be a struggle for Watson, due to his limited social skills. Watson married Mary Ickes, sister of politician Harold L. Ickes , while he was in graduate school. Watson's wife later sought divorce due to his ongoing affair with a student, Rosalie Rayner — The publicity resulted in Johns Hopkins University asking Watson to resign his faculty position in October In , following the finalization of the divorce, Watson and Rayner married in New Jersey , [ 14 ] parenting two sons, William Rayner Watson and James Broadus Watson , who were raised with the behaviorist principles that John espoused throughout his career.

The couple remained together until Rayner's death at age 36 in Watson burned his letters and personal papers, thus depriving historians of a resource for understanding the early history of behaviorism and of Watson himself. Historian John Burnham interviewed Watson late in life, presenting him as a man of strong opinions and some bitterness towards his detractors.

Watson lived on his farm until his death in at age