School Work

Unit 6 Theoretical Framework

COUN5214 – Theories of Personality

November 22, 2015

Dr. Lesley Riley

This paper will discuss the theoretical framework of B. F. Skinner’s behavioral theory and Albert Bandura’s social-cognitive theory. This paper will discuss basic philosophies of these theories, the theoretical constructs of these theories, identify limitations and criticisms of these theories, and discuss personal views of these theories.

Basic Philosophies of Theory

Basic Principles of Behaviorism

The basic principles of behaviorism are explained by Skinner's approach to behavior. His fundamental idea is that behavior can be controlled by its consequences by what follows the behavior (Schultz & Schultz, 2013, p. 310). Skinner believed that a certain type of reinforcement could train or instill certain behavior in any individual or animal. The one who controls the reinforcements has the ability to control the behavior. This is how a parent can control the behavior of infants by using positive reinforcement or to discourage negative behaviors by using disciplinary actions.

Basic Principles of Social-Cognitivism

Bandura's basic idea is that learning can occur through observation or example rather than solely by direct reinforcement. To Bandura, most human behavior is learned through example or what is called modeling, either intentionally or accidentally. We learn a wide and varied range of behaviors in our daily lives by observing other people and patterning our behavior after theirs whether it is positive behaviors or negative behaviors (Schultz & Schultz, 2013, p. 331).

Assumptions of Behaviorism

The assumption of behaviorism is that behavior is the only valid data in psychology because behavior is observable and can be objectively measured. Subjectivity should be eliminated from psychology and methods like introspection abandoned to be replaced with more objective methods. Learning can best be understood in terms of external causes rather...