reply to 3 peers on the following topic: 1 paragraph each total of 3 paragrahs
Is personality better described by inner states (for example, Freud) or by observable events such as behaviorism? Things like Fight Club (movie) and Grand Theft Auto (video game) certainly show propensity for observational learning, but how can an inner state such as anger or anxiety also play a role on if a child would mimic violent behaviors that are scene in these examples?
peer 1: Kelly
Since personality is a complicated concept, there are numerous psychological vantage points from which to explain how it develops and manifests. Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory places a strong emphasis on the role that inner states—like unconscious conflicts and desires—have in forming an individual’s identity. However, behaviorism—which was developed by individuals such as B.F. Skinner—focuses on observable actions and how the environment shapes them.In actuality, personality is probably influenced by a combination of internal states and external circumstances. For instance, behaviorism places a strong emphasis on how external rewards and punishments affect behavior, yet internal factors like emotions can also be quite important. Anger and anxiety are two examples of emotions that can affect how people perceive and react to external stimuli, including media.When it comes to media impacts such as “Fight Club” or “Grand Theft Auto,” it’s likely that both internal states and observable learning are involved. Even while people might see and imitate the violent acts depicted in various media, their propensity to do so might also be impacted by their internal emotional conditions. For example, a child who is feeling angry or anxious can be more likely to mimic aggressive behaviors they observe in the media as a means of expressing or coping with these feelings.
Internet: Behaviorists do not believe personality characteristics are based on genetics or inborn predispositions. Instead, they view personality as shaped by the reinforcements and consequences outside of the organism. In other words, people behave in a consistent manner based on prior learning. B. F. Skinner, a strict behaviorist, believed that environment was solely responsible for all behavior, including the enduring, consistent behavior patterns studied by personality theorists. In fact, behaviorists believed that if they could perfectly control a persons environment, then they could impart any type of personality on any individual they choose. Behaviorists also did not think it was necessary to understand anything that was happening in a persons head, since thoughts and feelings could not be perfectly objectively quantified.In other words, we learn to behave in particular ways. We increase the behaviors that lead to positive consequences, and we decrease the behaviors that lead to negative consequences. Skinner disagreed with Freud’s idea that personality is fixed in childhood. He argued that personality develops over our entire life, not only in the first few years. Our responses can change as we come across new situations; therefore, we can expect more variability over time in personality than Freud would anticipate. For example, consider a young woman, Greta, a risk taker. She drives fast and participates in dangerous sports such as hang gliding and kiteboarding. But after she gets married and has children, the system of reinforcements and punishments in her environment changes. Speeding and extreme sports are no longer reinforced, so she no longer engages in those behaviors. In fact, Greta now describes herself as a cautious person.
peer 2: Bianca
Textbook information:
According to John B. Watson’s behaviorism, psychology should focus solely on observable behaviors rather than subjective inner states. Watson argued that only behaviors that can be observed, predicted, and controlled should be considered legitimate subjects for scientific study. He believed that inner states such as emotions and thoughts were not suitable for scientific investigation due to their unobservable nature. Watson’s behaviorism emphasized the importance of conditioning processes, including classical and operant conditioning, in shaping behavior. Ivan Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiments with dogs demonstrated how associations between stimuli and responses could be learned through repeated pairings. Edward Thorndike’s work on operant conditioning showed how behaviors could be strengthened or weakened through reinforcement and punishment.
Internet Research:
My research on behaviorism corroborates the view that personality is primarily shaped by external factors rather than genetics or inborn predispositions. Behaviorists, such as B. F. Skinner, assert that individuals develop consistent behavior patterns through reinforcement and consequences in their environment. Skinner famously proposed that behavior is learned through operant conditioning, where behaviors leading to positive outcomes are reinforced and those leading to negative outcomes are discouraged. This perspective contrasts with Freud’s notion of fixed personality traits established in childhood. Skinner argued that personality continues to evolve throughout life, influenced by ongoing experiences and environmental contingencies. Albert Bandura, while agreeing with Skinner on the role of learning in personality development, introduced the concept of social-cognitive theory, which emphasizes the interaction between environmental influences, cognitive processes, and individual behavior. Bandura’s theory incorporates ideas such as reciprocal determinism, observational learning, and self-efficacy, highlighting the importance of both external and internal factors in shaping personality.
My personal beliefs:
While behaviorism provides valuable insights into how observable events influence behavior, I believe that personality is shaped by both inner states and external factors. Bandura’s social-cognitive theory offers a more comprehensive understanding by highlighting the reciprocal interaction between internal and external determinants of behavior. Bandura proposed the concept of reciprocal determinism, which suggests that behavior is influenced by a dynamic interplay between personal factors (such as beliefs and expectations), environmental factors, and behaviors themselves. This perspective acknowledges the role of inner states, such as emotions and cognition, in guiding behavior. For example, a child’s feelings of anxiety or anger can affect their likelihood of imitating violent behaviors observed in media, as discussed by Skinner and Bandura. Therefore, while observable events certainly play a significant role, internal states also contribute to the development of personality.
peer 3: Sheyla
textbook: Both perspectives offer valuable insights into personality, but they focus on different aspects. Behaviorism emphasizes observable behaviors and the role of conditioning in shaping personality. On the other hand, inner state theories, like Freudian psychology, delve into unconscious motivations and desires that influence behavior.
In the context of observational learning, such as those depicted in “Fight Club” or “Grand Theft Auto,” both inner states and observable events play a role. While behaviorism highlights how exposure to certain behaviors can lead to their imitation, inner states like anger or anxiety can enhance the likelihood of mimicking violent behaviors. For example, a child experiencing anger or anxiety may be more prone to imitating violent actions they observe in media or their environment as a way to cope or express their emotions.
So, while behaviorism provides a framework for understanding how behaviors are learned and reinforced, acknowledging the influence of inner states is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of personality development and behavior.
article: Personality is approached through various psychological theories, each offering unique insights into its formation. Freud’s psychoanalytic theory underscores the impact of inner states, such as instincts and unconscious processes, alongside early life experiences and parental influences on personality development, delineating personality into id, ego, and superego components. Conversely, behaviorism, championed by figures like Watson and Skinner, focuses on observable events and external influences in shaping personality, attributing traits to conditioning processes like classical and operant conditioning. While behaviorism elucidates how observational learning occurs through exposure to behaviors, inner states like anger or anxiety also play a role in amplifying the likelihood of mimicking behaviors, particularly evident in media influences like “Fight Club” and “Grand Theft Auto.” An inclusive understanding of personality benefits from considering both inner states and observable events, recognizing their combined impact on an individual’s behavior and psychological disposition.
Personality Theories | Definition & Types – Lesson | Study.comLinks to an external site.
video: Behaviorism, as a theory of learning, focuses on how behaviors are acquired through conditioning and interaction with the environment. This perspective emphasizes that all behaviors are shaped by environmental stimuli and can be studied systematically, regardless of internal mental states. In the context of media influences like “Fight Club” and “Grand Theft Auto,” behaviorism highlights the role of observational learning, where individuals mimic behaviors they observe in their environment. However, inner states such as anger or anxiety can also influence the likelihood of mimicking violent behaviors. For example, a child experiencing heightened anger or anxiety may be more susceptible to imitating violent actions seen in these examples as a way to cope or express their emotions. Therefore, while behaviorism provides valuable insights into how behaviors are learned and shaped, acknowledging the influence of inner states is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of personality and behavior.
