Strengths

• Behaviourism is very scientific:

  • Theories are testable and supported by experimental research (Pavlov and Skinner)
  • Uses the experimental method.
  • Helps to establish cause and effect.
  • Objective.
• Replicable:

  • Can be repeated due to high control, so has reliability.
• Mainly quantitative data so easy to analyse.
• Application to the real world:

  • Explains phobias
  • Produced many practical applications- e.g. education, child rearing.
  • Token economy.
• It provides strong counter-arguments (through evidence) to the nature side of the 'nature-nuture' debate.