behaviourist
/bɪˈheɪvjərɪst/
Definition
A researcher or scientist who focuses on observing and analyzing external, observable actions to understand the psychological state of a living being.
Etymology
Derived from the word 'behavior' (or 'behaviour') combined with the suffix '-ist,' which denotes a person who practices or is concerned with a specific field. The root 'behave' originates from the Middle English 'behauen,' meaning to manage or conduct oneself.
In the news
The article uses the term to identify the 20th-century Western academics who are typically credited with establishing the study of animal psychology. It contrasts their 'modern' approach with ancient Indian scholars who were exploring similar emotional insights long before.
India studied elephant emotions, personalities and mental distress over 2,000 years ago, centuries before modern animal psychology emerged
Read the full article ↗MSN