Behaviorism in psychology is best described as anticipating that the client can unlearn dysfunctional behaviors.

• A. Behaviorism anticipates that the client can unlearn dysfunctional behaviors
• B. Behaviorism emphasizes internal mental processes as primary
• C. Behaviorism concerns only group therapy dynamics
• D. Behaviorism focuses on client self-disclosure in sessions

Answer: (A)

Behaviorism centers on observable behavior and how it’s learned through conditioning and environmental consequences. It assumes that maladaptive or dysfunctional behaviors can be changed by altering the stimuli and reinforcements that shape them, so clients can unlearn those responses. That makes the statement about anticipating that the client can unlearn dysfunctional behaviors the best fit for behaviorism.

Think of it in contrast to other descriptions: focusing on internal mental processes describes cognitive approaches, not behaviorism; the idea that therapy concerns only group dynamics isn’t a defining feature of behaviorism; and emphasis on self-disclosure aligns more with humanistic or psychodynamic therapies.