Psychology of Behaviorism in Personality Development

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Questions and Answers

What does the behaviourist approach to personality suggest about newborn children?

They have a set personality from birth.

They are born without any semblance of personality. (correct)

They exhibit personality traits learned in the womb.

They are influenced solely by genetics.

What is the primary factor in personality development according to B.F. Skinner?

Psychological theories.

Environmental experiences. (correct)

Societal expectations.

Innate biological traits.

How does Skinner describe the relationship between behaviour and its consequences?

Behaviour is determined by the consequences which modify future tendencies. (correct)

Behavior is entirely random and not influenced by consequences.

Consequences of behaviour are only learned and not experienced.

Consequences have no significant impact on behaviour.

What term does Skinner use to describe behaviour that is determined by its consequences?

Operant behaviour. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes respondent behaviour?

It is a response to a known stimulus. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of conditioning did Ivan Pavlov demonstrate, which Skinner later applied to personality development?

Classical conditioning. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What example illustrates the concept of operant behaviour?

A child repeating a behaviour after receiving praise. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does operant behaviour differ from respondent behaviour according to Skinner?

Operant behaviour is spontaneous, whereas respondent behaviour is automatic. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of positive reinforcement in behavior modification?

It increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What may occur as a result of receiving a favorable consequence for a behavior?

The behavior starts being performed more frequently. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What role does punishment play in operant conditioning?

It decreases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Skinner believe individual behavior is shaped?

By unique environmental stimuli experienced by each individual. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a criticism of Skinner's behavioral approach?

It overlooks conscious free will and internal human qualities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does operant conditioning primarily aim to explain?

The learned behaviors based on consequences. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does reinforcement affect behavior according to operant conditioning?

It tends to reinforce desired behaviors and discourage unwanted ones. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the essence of operant conditioning?

Utilizing reinforcement to influence behavior. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Behaviourist Approach to Personality Development

Newborn children are perceived as having no inherent personality; development is shaped exclusively by environmental experiences throughout life.
B.F. Skinner is a key figure in this approach, emphasizing that behaviors are influenced by past rewards or punishments and future expectations.
Systematic examination of individual behavior patterns and their consequences is essential for understanding personality.

Skinner's Distinction Between Types of Behaviour

Respondent Behaviour:
- Defined as automatic responses to specific stimuli, such as shivering in cold or salivating at the smell of food.
- Can be learned through conditioning; Ivan Pavlov introduced classical conditioning as a method of studying this.
Operant Behaviour:
- Involves spontaneous social behaviors that interact dynamically with the environment, instead of being purely reactive to stimuli.
- Elicits responses from the environment and can influence it. For instance, a child can provoke parental irritation due to temperament, which may impact family dynamics.

Operant Conditioning Principles

Behaviour is shaped significantly by its consequences:
- Positive reinforcement: A favorable outcome (e.g., praise from parents for riding a bicycle) increases the likelihood of repeating the behavior.
- Punishment: An unfavorable outcome (e.g., scolding for unsafe riding) decreases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated.
Reinforcement is at the core of operant conditioning; reinforced behaviors are likely to occur again, while unreinforced or punished behaviors are less likely to recur.
Individual learning histories contribute to unique behavioral patterns, clarifying why behaviors vary across individuals.

Evaluation of Skinner’s Theory

The behavioral approach is recognized for its effectiveness in modifying undesirable behaviors and encouraging positive ones.
Criticisms include:
- Overemphasis on environmental influences, potentially ignoring inherent human qualities and free will.
- Sole focus on observable behaviors may neglect internal mental processes and emotions that also shape personality.

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Description

Explore the behaviorist approach to personality development as proposed by B.F. Skinner. This quiz delves into the influence of environmental factors on personality from birth through life. Assess your understanding of key concepts and theories within behaviorism.