What field focuses on the study of behavior?

Behaviorism is the field that specifically emphasizes the study of observable behavior and the processes that govern it. Founded by psychologists such as John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner, behaviorism posits that behavior can be studied scientifically without considering the internal mental states that are often a focus of other psychological theories. This approach bases itself on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning, which includes both classical and operant conditioning.

In contrast, cognitive psychology studies mental processes including perception, memory, and problem-solving, placing less emphasis on observable behavior alone. Developmental psychology examines the physical, social, and emotional changes that occur throughout a person's life rather than focusing solely on behavior. Neuroscience investigates the biological basis of behavior and mental processes through the study of the nervous system but does not target behavior itself as the primary subject of analysis. Therefore, behaviorism is the most directly concerned with the systematic study and understanding of behavior.