Who said "Psychology today is concerned with scientific investigation of behaviour"?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (3):
The correct option is N. L. Mann. The quote, "Psychology today is concerned with scientific investigation of behaviour," is a foundational definition for the modern discipline and is specifically attributed to Norman Leslie Munn, an influential American psychologist and author of widely used textbooks. Munn’s work helped shape the basic structure of thought in psychology, particularly for new generations of students in the mid-20th century. This definition is significant because it reflects the shift in psychology from the earlier focus on consciousness or the mind to the more objective and measurable area of observable behavior, firmly establishing psychology as a natural science that relies on empirical investigation.

The incorrect option is (1):
Watson is incorrect because his definition, while foundational to the study of behavior, is more radical and specific to his school of thought. John B. Watson, the founder of Behaviorism, famously defined psychology as the "science of behavior," completely rejecting the study of unobservable mental processes. His definition lacks the phrase "Psychology today," which Munn included to mark the contemporary consensus of the field as of the mid-20th century, distinguishing it from earlier philosophical or mentalistic psychologies.

The incorrect option is (2):
Woodworth is incorrect, although he provided another key transitional definition. Robert S. Woodworth, often with Marquis, famously defined psychology as "the scientific study of the activities of the individual in relation to his environment." While this definition is very close in its focus on scientific study and individual activities (behavior), it is specifically characterized by the explicit inclusion of the term "environment," which is the critical element that distinguishes it from the quote attributed to Munn.

The incorrect option is (4):
Crow and Crow is incorrect. Luther A. Crow and Alice Crow were prominent educational psychologists who offered a broader definition of the field. Their well-known definition states that "Psychology is the study of human behavior and human relationships." This definition goes beyond the simple "scientific investigation of behaviour" by explicitly emphasizing the social and relational context of human conduct, making it distinct from Munn's more direct and concise statement.