Perspectives within Behaviorism in Psychology - Research Paper Example

? Perspectives within Behaviorism in Psychology As theories developed in the field of Psychology, differing perspectives have existed even among those who started the Behaviorist Movement in the 1990s. John B. Watson, who coined the word “behaviorism,” soon found his perspective different from those of his colleagues B. F. Skinner and Edward C. Tolman. This paper therefore aims to compare and contrast these perspectives, while discussing their relationship to the field of modern-day Psychology. Three perspectives in Behaviorism Watson. When Watson delivered his lecture “Psychology as a Behaviorist Views it” in Columbia University in 1913, he advanced a theory based on a rigid perspective of human behavior as being measureable and observable (McConnell, 1994). Actually, he was reacting strongly against the mentalist or intra-psychic perspective which studied human behavior through the non-objective method of introspection. For Watson, inputs and outputs in the mentalist search for mental structures cannot be measured and observed. As he saw it, such an approach cannot come up with a method for human learning and change. Walton then proposed a kind of behaviorism, which in his mind could scientifically study people’s behavior with the aim of being able to predict and control it He gave focus to the effects of external stimuli patterned after Pavlov’s classical experiment on stimulus-response conditioning. Since Pavlov discovered that conditioning of response can be done not only in animals but also in people, Watson concluded that humans can also be conditioned through stimulus that induces a response in a reflexive manner (McConnell, 1994). Watson fond supporters who lauded his emphasis on nurture rather than nature for learning. On the other hand, he was also criticized by colleagues who saw capabilities other than behavior which need to be taken into account. While learning can be strengthened through conditioning, for them Watson failed to provide a complete picture of human learning. Skinner. Adopting Watson’s anti-mentalist perspective, B. F. Skinner gave emphasis to the environment as the “reinforcing stimulus” or “reinforcer” to the human organism which he described as “bouncing around its world” (Boeree, n.d.). Using a method of successive conditioning called “shaping,” Skinner made experiments on pigeons being taught to bowl. This procedure he explained finds easy application on human conditioning and can be used to relieve people of their tension, fear and other undesirable habits of some kind. Rightly or wrongly, critics saw Skinner’s anti-mentalist construct of behavior to be contrary to human freedom and dignity. For them, Skinner’s concentration on the measurable and observable has reduced man to a machine deprived of consciousness and ability to cope with the environment and achieve self-actualization. Tolman. Reacting to the stimulus-response views of Watson and Skinner, Tolman advanced the theory of “Cognitive Coping with a Pattern of Stimuli” (Watson, n.d.). This new perspective rejected mechanistic behaviorism due to the fact that man does more than simply respond to external stimuli. Tolman opened the way for admitting human learning based on inner beliefs, attitudes, and goals. Acquainted with Gestalt Psychology, he looked both at human behavior and the mind as a whole (Kendra, n.d.). He also saw psychological, physiological and experiential phenomena as “irreducible experiential configurations” in the process of human knowing and change. For Tolman, each man is unique and free to choose his actions as influenced by the environment or other factors. Behaviorist theories and modern-day Psychology Human behavior is sometimes likened to a puzzle which needs to be solved. Theorists have done much work by gathering data and proposing theories or explanations to this fascinating, yet mysterious facet of human life. Part of these theories are scientific methods or ways to gather and evaluate data and information. In this regard, behaviorist theories have contributed much by advancing methods of inquiry on what can be measured and observed, a departure from purist mentalist theorists whose explanations were not measurable and observable. Watson opened the beginning of the objective study of behavior which continues to be helpful today along the effort to predict and control human actions and emotions. Laudably, his stimulus-response studies depart from the armchair mentalist methods. However, it needs to be noted that the mentalist perspective is not totally discarded today as intra-psychic concepts are equally valuable particularly in the field of contemporary Psychological Counseling and Psychoanalysis. Skinner gave value to the environment as he recognized the fact that man thrives in a physical world which can serve reinforcing stimuli for actions and emotions. He also distinguished between aversive stimuli or punishment and reinforcing stimuli, valuable today for those who advocate positive reinforcement or affirmation in learning and behavioral change. While Skinner’s ideas have been modified today, his fundamental ideas have been the basis of today’s therapeutic techniques in the cure against addiction, shyness, anxiety, autism, even schizophrenia. Tolman’s theories have ushered in a merger of behaviorist and intra-psychic views. In modern Psychology, it is admitted that while inner consciousness cannot be directly observed, objective measurement can be done on reflective processes such as perception, motives, values, and attitudes. Introspective studies are adopted today by way of observations on what persons do and say about inner feelings through the use of psychological analysis of responses. Conclusion The behaviorist-mentalist debate was occasioned by the theories of Watson, Skinner and Tolman. Today, modern Psychology is like a building built from materials contributed by the explanatory views which came from the past, namely the biological, intra-psychic, social behavioral viewpoints. From the biological viewpoint, modern psychology does not discount the need for organic integrity for health and learning. From the intra-psychic viewpoint, scientists consider what goes inside the human mind which points to the complex elements and processes of human feeling, perceiving, thinking, willing and reasoning. From the social-behavioral viewpoint, scientists look at thoughts and behaviors as being strongly influenced by the physical, social and cultural environment. Through the holism of viewpoints therefore, modern psychology utilizes valuable learning of the past while being aware of a complex living system which affects human behavior and thoughts. (McConnel, 2000). The behaviorist tradition advanced by Watson, Skinner and Tolman has contributed effective ways in developing today’s psychology of learning. In modern society, behaviorist principles are especially applicable in education and human resource training especially along the need to develop psycho-motor skills. The use of video technology gaming in modern education and automated simulation machines to train and test drivers and pilots are but some examples of modern applications of behaviorist practices in schools and professional establishments. It will therefore be foolish to reject behaviorism altogether, especially as behaviorists like Tolman has given attention to what goes inside the human mind. Tolman’s cognitive behavior perspective means that behavioral techniques can be used to control not only actions but thoughts. Coupled with the holistic viewpoint which incorporates social learning, it can now be said that modern-day psychology has gone full circle for a fully encompassing theorizing. After rigid behaviorists like Watson and Skinner threw the human mind out of the window, cognitive behaviorists like Tolman and social learning theorists brought the human mind back into the equation of human learning. Not to throw viable theories out in order to come up with a more complete psychological perspective is aligned with the modern General Systems Theory (McConnell, 1994). This approach offers holism and has gained much acceptance, since it is open to inputs needed to alter particular needs and situations. Not to close our minds to diverse perspectives in psychology proves the point that human learning for change is always possible. References Boeree, C.G. (n.d.). Personality Theories: B.F. Skinner. Retrieved from webspace.edu/cgboer/skinner.html Cherry, K. (n.d.). What is Gestalt Psychology? Retrieved April 6, 2012 from http://pscychology/about.com/od/schools of thought/f/gestalt_faq.htm McConnell, J. (1994). Understanding Human Behavior. New York, N.Y.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston Watson, J. B. (n.d.). Theories of Learning in Educational Psychology. Retrieved April 9, 2012 From www.lifecircles-inc.com/LearningTheories/behaviorism.watson.html Read More