The quote you mentioned is often attributed to the behaviorist John B. Watson. He was a prominent psychologist who is often regarded as the founder of behaviorism. The quote is a paraphrased version of what Watson stated in his book "Behaviorism," which was published in 1924.
The original quote by Watson is as follows:
"Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in, and I'll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select – doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief, and, yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors."
This quote reflects Watson's strong belief in the importance of environmental influences and learning experiences in shaping an individual's behavior and abilities, regardless of their inherent characteristics. He emphasized that behavior is primarily a result of conditioning and the environment in which a person is raised.
It is worth noting that Watson's ideas and approaches were influential in the development of behaviorism but have also been met with criticism over the years, particularly concerning the extent to which genetics and other individual factors can influence a person's development and potential. Contemporary psychology recognizes the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in shaping human behavior and development.