buy custom Reinforcement Theory of B. F. Skinner essay

buy custom Reinforcement Theory of B. F. Skinner essay Principles of the Theory Reinforcement theory of B. F. Skinner enhances and proves principles and achievements of behaviorism. According to its followers, free will and other spiritual characteristics cannot be objects of scientific research because of the hidden and unobserved nature of those phenomena (Schultz Schultz, 2013). B. F. Skinner believed that people were only machines subject to predictions and control. He claimed that the science of human behavior was not different from any other natural evidence-based science (Skinner, 2011). His theory is most relevant to the issue of personality development. Studying personality in terms of behaviorism, B. F. Skinner emphasized the importance of the past human experience and the unique nature of human abilities. Like many other theorists, B. F. Skinner believed that understanding of human nature could come through observation of the behavior of a human body in interaction with the environment (Skinner, 2011). Accordingly, this interaction was the focus of numerous carefully set experimental studies. The principle of reinforcement became the primary concept in the Skinners studies (Coon Mitterer, 2008). This revealed the theory of operant reinforcement. B. F. Skinner distinguished two approaches to the study of a personality. He differentiated standpoints of innate and operant behavior (Skinner, 2011). The first reflective type of behavior implied characteristic reaction caused by a known stimulus. Events following the reaction determined operant behavior. For example, withdrawal of a hand touching a hot object was an example of innate reactions, while cycling and playing musical instruments were examples of the operant reinforcement. Speed with which people could acquire and fix the operant behavior depended on the rule and mode of reinforcement. B. F. Skinner investigated changes of reaction, learning, and behavior modifications. Reinforcement has become one of the conditioning principles (Coon Mitterer, 2008). Starting from early childhood, human behavior is subject to outward reactions and support. People acquire types of behavio supported by the perception of pleasure and joy. There are primary reinforcements, such as food or elimination of pain, and other stimuli such as smile, adult attention, approval, or praise (Schultz Schultz, 2013). Operant conditioning relies mainly on positive reinforcement. Nevertheless, Skinner emphasizes importance of a negative reinforcement, which leads to the extinction of an undesired response. It can be physical punishment, moral influence, or psychological pressure. Unpleasant stimulus in the punishment should be a reaction, reducing the likelihood that the response will appear again (Skinner, 2011). How Does the Theory Address Differences in Gender and Culture? Gender is a set of representations of male and female social roles and types of behavior. It is a cultural mask of sex. Three basic gender approaches are the theory of social construction of gender, a stratification category, and a cultural metaphor. The theory of the social construction of gender is an organized structure of interrelations between women and men, as well as being one of the basic institutions of the society. It reveals two postulates. The first is the assumption that gender is a product of socialization, labor system of gender roles, family, and the media. The second explains the concept in terms of gender identity, adoption of some given society norms, and sub-alignment for them (Coon Mitterer, 2008). It means traditions in clothing, appearance, demeanor, and leadership qualities. The concept of gender reflects creation of cultural and social differences between boys and girls, men and women that are not natural, intrinsic, or biological. Gender as a stratification category is a structure or process among a number of other stratification categories such as class, race, and age. As a cultural metaphor, the concept serves as a cultural symbol and a cultural-forming factor. Social learning theory, which goes back to the ideas of behaviorism, explores major concepts, such as learning and positive and negative reinforcement model of parental behavior. It emphasizes influence of the microenvironment and social norms on external sex-role behavior and focuses on a typical sex behavior. Parents and surrounding peeople teach boys and girls to behave according to patterns of their gender and condemn when they adopt behavior of the opposite sex. Parents tend to blame the lack of independence in boys and girls, but they are allowed to be dependent. As a result, boys learn that one should rely on his achievements to gain self-respect and self-esteem, while girls upbringing depends on treatment by and attitude of others (Schultz Schultz, 2013). The diversity of social characteristics of people worldwide reveals that biological sex cannot be an explanation of differences in social roles existing in different societies. The concept of gender denies the fact that people depend on their belonging to males or females. Neither biological sex nor socio-cultural norms ultimately determine behaviors, activities, and careers of women and men. In terms of the reinforcement theory, it is possible and even necessary to modify and construct equal gender roles and types of behavior. Does the Theory Present a Comprehensive Explanation of How Personality Develops? Behaviorism is known as the psychology without a mind. This turnover assumes that the mind is identical to consciousness. They compare mental qualities of people to operations of some devices. It has changed the perception of those qualities. A real contribution to the new direction is the dramatic expansion of the field of psychology. It now includes availability of an external objective observation. Behaviorists have changed the scheme of psychological experiments held them mainly on animals like white rats. Experimental devices are different types of labyrinths and problem boxes. While running them, animals have learned to find their way out of those boxes (Schultz Schultz, 2013). Themes of learning and acquisition of skills by trial and error have become central in the theory of reinforcement. There have appeared many experimental data on determinants of behavior modification. The reinforcement theory has changed the conception of laws that govern behavior of living things, including humans. The last point has appeared in experiments with big white rats. People appear to be the same, finding their way in the maze of life (Schultz Schultz, 2013). Buy custom Reinforcement Theory of B. F. Skinner essay