Strengths, Weaknesses of One of the Perspectives of Psychology

Stephanie graham Psy-201 October 7, 2012 What Are The Strengths And Weaknesses Of One Of The Perspectives Of Psychology Behaviorism is unmatchable point of good deal in psychology directed to a scientific study of the carriages of art object and animal, and is insisted that the cause of our actions and soulality lies in our environment, rather than our biology. Behaviorism, also referred to as behavioral psychology, is a theory of find outing based upon the idea that all behaviors be acquired by conditioning.Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorist believe that our responses to environmental stimuli order our behavior. There are two types of conditioning, classical conditioning and operative conditioning. clean conditioning was studied by the Russian psychologist Ivan Pavlov, he demonstrated that dogs could learn to associate a neutral stimulus, such as the sound of a bell, with an automatic behavior, such as reflexively salivating to fo od. He believed he had discovered the tool by which all behaviors were learned. B. F.Skinner investigated operant conditioning of voluntary and involuntary behavior is a form of learning in which an individuals behavior is modified through its consequences, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment. He called his speak to to psychology etymon behavioristic psychology, where all(prenominal)thing a mortal does, says, and feels constitutes behavior. Even if the behavior is unobservable it can be subjected to experimental analysis. Skinner demonstrated that our social environment is filled with reinforcing and tough consequences that shape our behavior.For example many people dont enjoy take inting up early to go to seduce every day, but they do it to get the reward a paycheck. They are being rewarded for good behavior. If some one didnt show up to work, or not call in that soul may be fired and not receive a paycheck. This would be a punishment for their be havior. Growing up my parents would tell me that hard work gets good results. Getting straight As on my report card I received some incentives. If I didnt get into any trouble I received more incentives as wholesome.But if got a bad grade on a homework assignment or test they would take remote incentives or any rewards. Without knowing it I grew up on the operant conditioning and adapted it to my daily life where hard work upright seemed natural and has some incentives. Weaknesses Behaviorism examines human and nonhuman beings from the point of passel of the behavior they demonstrate. Behaviorism is the understanding of behavior of people and animals in their every movement, emotional response/ reaction, the way they think.Environment plays a great role in the life of people, but it is hard to interpret the behavior of people solitary(prenominal) focusing on the environmental detailor. In some ways behaviorism neglects the individualism of every mortal making a general behavi oral pattern for everybody. A weakness is in Skinners operant conditioning theory, is the fact that it does not always work. A person can be pretence they stopped the behavior just to receive the reward. If you give a person a reward for good behavior, that person will expect a reward every time.Strengths One main strength of the behaviorist approach is that it focuses only on behavior that can be observed and manipulated in a supportled environment. Behaviorism tends to predict the behavior in certain circumstances. So having the possibility to predict would give a person the ability to crack behavior, avoiding any unnecessary reactions. People are more aware of how to chasten behavior which has become very important in parenting, and useful when component part kids reactions adapt more socially with others.Behaviorism has servinged bring the desired outcome with the help of reinforcement, and punishment. It is a simple concept of behavior using the principals such as classic al and operant conditioning. Pavlovs approach aims to study behavior that is observable and in a flash measurable. Behaviorism has a tremendous contribution to the development of psychology. As in every perspective approach, study, or theory has its advantages, disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses. What works for one person may not work for another.But it is just as important in helping people. Skinner and Pavlov twain had great techniques in trying to recognize, predict, and control behaviors. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. You could say the Pavlovs theories were groundbreaking in a smack however even under favorable conditions however a person and especially an animal cannot be expected to do the exact same(p) thing every time regardless of a handle result. shifting change always has to be accounted for. Such as lack of kindle or tiredness.Skinner was on a better tract in my whim with the rewarding/punishment of behavior. Some issues could arise there as well such as the interpretation of rewards by the individual and just like Pavlov you would have to change them or interest would be lost afterwards eventually. Depending on circumstances both seem very applicable on a case by case basis both having their strengths and weaknesses both very valid points but must be determined by what is to be achieved and who it is being done on.