9.13
The Behavioral Perspective on Personality
Behaviorists view personality as primarily shaped by environmental reinforcements and consequences. According to this perspective, behavior is influen…
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.
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Q1: How do behaviorists explain the development of personality?
Behaviorists argue that personality is shaped primarily by environmental reinforcements and consequences rather than innate traits. According to this view, behaviors that lead to positive outcomes are reinforced and repeated, while those resulting in negative outcomes are diminished. Over time, accumulated patterns of reinforcement—called learning histories—create the collection of habits that constitute personality.
Q2: What role do genetic factors and environmental contingencies play in personality according to radical behaviorists?
Radical behaviorists identify two main influences on personality: genetic factors and environmental contingencies, which include reinforcers and punishers. However, they emphasize that differences in personality largely result from variations in learning experiences rather than genetic predisposition. This perspective contrasts with psychoanalytic approaches by rejecting the notion that early childhood is uniquely critical in shaping personality.
Q3: Do behaviorists believe people have free will in controlling their behavior?
No. Radical behaviorists argue that free will is an illusion. They share the concept of determinism with psychoanalysts, viewing actions as products of prior causal factors rather than conscious choice. People often believe they control their behaviors but are unaware of external triggers and situational factors that actually drive their actions.
Q4: How do unconscious situational factors influence behavior in the behavioral perspective?
Radical behaviorists highlight that individuals are often unaware of immediate situational influences on their behavior. For example, a person may unconsciously hum a tune because soft background music is playing, initially unaware of the source. Everyday decisions are influenced by unnoticed environmental factors, such as whether to continue working or stop due to a distraction from colleagues.
Q5: Is personality a fixed trait or does it continue to change throughout life?
According to radical behaviorists, personality is not a fixed internal structure but a collection of habits shaped by classical and operant conditioning. Personality continues to evolve throughout life as individuals encounter new environmental contingencies. This contrasts with theories emphasizing early childhood as the sole determinant of personality development.
Q6: What is the relationship between personality and behavior in behavioral theory?
Radical behaviorists argue that personality does not cause behavior; rather, personality is behavior itself. This encompasses both observable actions and internal processes like thoughts and feelings. From this perspective, personality is fundamentally a collection of learned responses shaped by environmental reinforcement rather than an underlying psychological structure.
Q7: How does the behavioral perspective on personality differ from humanistic approaches?
Behaviorists emphasize environmental contingencies and learning histories as personality determinants, rejecting free will and internal traits. In contrast, humanistic approaches like Carl Rogers' emphasize personal agency, self-actualization, and the individual's subjective experience. While behaviorists view personality as learned responses to external stimuli, humanists focus on intrinsic motivation and personal growth.