peripheralism

n. the view of some behaviorists that emphasizes events at the periphery of an organism, such as the skeletal and laryngeal muscles and sex organs, rather than the functions of the central nervous system. For example, John B. Watson believed (falsely) that thinking was not a function taking place in the brain but involved minute movements of the vocal apparatus (subvocal speech) and thus was an objective behavior. Also called peripheralistic psychology. Compare centralism.

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Psychology term of the day

November 22nd 2024

on response (ON response)

Sorry, "on-response-on-response" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.