The Behavioral Perspective on Personality

Behaviorists argue that personality is shaped primarily by reinforcements and consequences in the environment.

Similarly, radical behaviorists identify two main influences on personality: genetic factors and environmental contingencies, which include reinforcers and punishers.

They share the concept of determinism with psychoanalysts, viewing actions as products of prior causal factors rather than free will.

According to radical behaviorists, free will is an illusion; people often believe they control their behaviors but are unaware of external triggers.

Everyday decisions are often influenced by unnoticed situational factors, such as whether to continue an activity or stop due to a distraction. For instance, a person may continue to work in a quiet room but stop when disturbed by his colleagues.

Additionally, radical behaviorists, such as Skinner, argue that individuals are often "unconscious" of immediate situational influences on their behavior.

For instance, unconsciously humming a tune might result from the song playing softly in the background, with the individual initially unaware of the source.