Which philosophy denies the existence of behavioral causes that cannot be observed?

The philosophy that denies the existence of behavioral causes that cannot be observed is methodological behaviorism. This approach emphasizes a scientific methodology focused strictly on observable behaviors and events, asserting that internal mental states or processes cannot be considered as valid causes of behavior unless they can be observed and measured.

Methodological behaviorists argue that psychology should be based on empirical evidence, which is derived from observable and measurable behavior. This perspective advocates for an approach that refrains from speculating about unobservable constructs, thus ensuring that the study of behavior remains grounded in what can be directly observed and quantified.

In distinguishing this view from radical behaviorism, it’s important to note that radical behaviorism accepts the influence of unobservable events, such as thoughts and feelings, on behavior. This acceptance allows for a more comprehensive analysis of behavior that includes the inner experiences of individuals, which methodological behaviorism explicitly rejects.

Behavioral psychology broadly refers to the principles and practices derived from behaviorism without specifically emphasizing the observable criterion of methodological behaviorism. Similarly, applied behavior analysis focuses on applying behavioral principles to change socially significant behavior but does not inherently deny the possibility of unobservable causes, aligning more with radical behaviorism. Thus, methodological behaviorism stands out as the philosophy that strictly limits inquiry to observable phenomena.