What specific view of organisms associated with Watson did Edward Tolman reject?

Edward C. Tolman rejected several key aspects of John B. Watson's view of organisms, particularly those related to Watson's radical behaviorism. Here are the main points of contention:

Rejection of Pure Stimulus-Response Associations

Tolman disagreed with Watson's idea that behavior is solely the result of stimulus-response (S-R) associations, which implied that behavior is involuntary and reflexive. Instead, Tolman believed that learning involves more than just conditioned reflexes and that organisms can form cognitive maps and learn through latent learning, which does not require immediate reinforcement235.

Purpose and Goal-Directed Behavior

Tolman introduced the concept of "purposive behaviorism," which posits that behavior is goal-directed and motivated by purposes and objectives. This contrasts with Watson's view that behavior can be understood without considering mental processes or consciousness125.

Recognition of Internal Mental Processes

Tolman's work challenged the behaviorist rejection of internal mental processes. He argued that organisms, including rats, form mental representations (cognitive maps) of their environment, which guide their behavior. This was in direct opposition to Watson's stance that behavior can be understood without considering consciousness or any other mental processes25.

In summary, Tolman rejected Watson's views on the exclusivity of S-R associations, the absence of goal-directed behavior, and the dismissal of internal mental processes in explaining behavior.