Description

The Battle of Behaviorism (1929) records a historic intellectual debate between John B. Watson, founder of behaviorism, and William McDougall, advocate of purposive psychology. The book captures their contrasting views on human behavior—Watson’s mechanistic, stimulus–response approach versus McDougall’s emphasis on innate drives and purpose. Through a lively exchange of arguments, both psychologists discuss the nature of consciousness, motivation, and scientific method in psychology. This classic volume offers readers a vivid insight into early twentieth-century psychological thought and the philosophical divide that shaped the discipline’s development. It remains a valuable document for students and scholars interested in the evolution of modern psychology.