An Analysis of Skinner's and Watson's Behaviorism Theories in Explaining Animal and Human Behavior
Overview
This paper examines Skinner's behaviorism theory through the example of conditioned behavior in mice, analyzing both its strengths and weaknesses in explaining how repeated actions develop into habitual behaviors. The author also briefly introduces Watson's behaviorism theory as an alternative framework for understanding observable behavioral changes in animals and humans.
What this essay covers
- Introduction to Skinner's behaviorism theory and the mouse cage experiment demonstrating operant conditioning
- Critical analysis of Skinner's theory, including weaknesses in explaining initial behavior acquisition
- Discussion of how habitual activities develop behavioral characteristics in individuals
- Brief introduction to Watson's behaviorism theory and observable characteristics
Preview
Skinners Behaviorism Theory
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Skinner's behaviorism theory is used in numerous places to explain the behavior of animals and humans in various situations. In his theory, he gave an example of a mouse placed in a mouse cage and a pellet introduced to it so that the action of the mouse results in it getting food at certain intervals (Mason, 2017). According to skinner, the behavior of the mouse hitting the bar to get food is developed after several trials. The mouse then gets used to the behavior which results in it doing the same thing repeatedly whenever it needs food. In the theory, skinner includes a description of various ways through which people can be subjected to behavioral adaptation due to them being exposed to similar trends (Mason, 2017). However, the theory has some weak links in that skinner does not explain how the mouse is trained to step on the bar. Since the bar is placed on one wall of the cage, the mouse could have stepped on it mistakenly and not through the repeated action that it develops a certain behavior.
The theory has no bias in how it explains personality. The theorist is correct in stating that the behavior of an individual is developed through habitual activities (Mason, 2017). When a person engages in habitual activities, they end up developing a certain habit that defines them in the long run.