Behavioral approach: concept, essence, features and representatives

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

As an independent science, psychology began to develop relatively recently. But in a short period of time - a little more than a century - a lot has been achieved. In particular, the behavioral approach was studied and successfully applied in theory and practice. What is this phenomenon and how does it manifest itself in our lives? In what areas is the behavioral approach applicable and what are its additional criteria? We'll figure it out.

Dictionary interpretation

First of all, we need to clearly articulate the essence of the behavioral approach, its meaning. So, this term refers to the area in psychology that studies the behavior of people as a species and animals. It is assumed that all actions are based on reflexes, as well as on various reactions to certain factors coming from the environment. An important criterion for the behavior of an individual is his personal history, that is, life experience. It alternates between reward and punishment, motivation and frustration.- they determine the further reaction to specific events. Often the behavioral approach in psychology is called behaviorism - the term comes from the English word Behavior - "behavior". It is worth noting that behaviorists - scientists who are engaged in this area of psychology - understand that a hereditary factor can also influence the behavior of an individual. But at the same time, they put a lot of "responsibility" for certain actions on the environment.

Founders

Studying the history of this area of psychology, in parallel, we will get acquainted with its representatives. The behavioral approach began to emerge in the second half of the 19th century, after the well-known fields of science such as depth psychology and the law of effect (the latter explains how behavior is changed by rewards). The "father" of this term and its essence was the American scientist John Brodes Watson. His methodological behaviorism suggested that attention should be paid exclusively to the signals entering the human mind from the external environment. At the same time, his thoughts and feelings can be ignored, since they do not affect behavior. Soon this theory began to be challenged by Burres Frederick Skinner, who realized that feelings and thoughts are controlled by the same areas of the brain as external stimuli, therefore, they are also triggers for certain reactions. His version became known as radical behaviorism and became more widespread.

It is interesting to know that our scientist Ivan Petrovich Pavlov supported Watson in his judgments - we all know about his dogs and their reaction to the "bell".

Many versions

The original theory of the behavioral approach to the study of the reactions of living beings to certain factors has become a real resonance in the world of psychology. No matter how it sounds, everyone and sundry was engaged in the study of this topic, and therefore sometimes the most ridiculous judgments were put forward. But among them, from time to time, very worthwhile thoughts surfaced, which later turned into full-fledged types of behavioral approach, well, or varieties. In fact, each of them tells the truth - it's like comparing the judgment of Watson and Skinner. Therefore, every modern psychologist decides for himself which theory is closer to him, and is guided by it. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with each of them in turn.

Methodological behaviorism

We have already briefly learned about it - this is the behavioral approach in its original form, which was proposed by John Watson. Its essence is that only the public actions of an individual (that is, his external behavior) can be observed, while his thoughts and feelings are deliberately overlooked. The scientist also actively studied the behavior of people and animals, creating for them certain external factors (irritants), which could be positive or negative.

Radical behaviorism

The second and much more significant theory of the behavioral approach, also proposed by an American named Skinner. She's most likely the winner.became precisely because of its versatility and a kind of "psychological cosmopolitanism." In other words, Skinner believed that it is worth taking into account not only stimuli from the environment that “hurt” a person, but also his feelings, thoughts that overcome him at a particular moment in time. Equally important is the experience - both negative and positive. The hereditary factor was also taken into account, because at the genetic level, representatives of certain types of living organisms (including people - here it was necessary to distinguish by race and culture) also have specific beliefs that affect behavior. This behavioral approach has become universal and probably still the most common and true in psychology.

Psychological behaviorism

For the first time, under the influence of a scientist named Arthur W. Staats, the behavioral approach becomes not just a theory, supported by a small number of experiments, mostly on animals, but half a practical field of knowledge. In terms of theory, Staats developed a kind of system of time-outs, that is, rest from certain factors / thoughts that could influence human behavior, as well as a system of tokens - rewards. Experiments have already been carried out on humans, mainly on children with mental disorders. This experience allowed us to reach new heights in the field of education, cultural and social development, as well as the prevention of many nervous disorders.

From study to application

After Staatsdemonstrated his experiences to the world, the foundations of the behavioral approach immediately became the basis for correcting the behavior of various groups of individuals. In fact, the theory was turned into practice - and nothing more. In the course of such manipulations, a new field of practical knowledge appeared - applied behavior analysis. It is based on the principles of radical behaviorism, with the help of which reactions to certain stimuli are corrected in a particular person or in a group of people. These are the so-called techniques of the behavioral approach, of which there are countless. Let's list some of them. So, applying radical behaviorism, you can control and change:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Conservation of natural resources.
• Physical culture and a he althy lifestyle.
• Learning languages.
• Medicine.
• Raising children.
• Fight against drugs.
• Animal attitude.
• Leadership and management.

In a word, the technique of radical behaviorism can be applied absolutely everywhere, and the influence can be exerted both on a specific person and on a group of people.

Methodology

Also, this section is called behavioral therapy and is very often used in practical psychology to correct certain reactions and habits of a person. Therapy is based on conditioning and learning. Following certain methods of the behavioral approach, you can completely change the map of your own actions and actions, become a different person. Dueof these technicians get rid of bad habits, acquire new skills and inclinations, begin to look at the world in a new way and interact with it differently. The methodology was first successfully put into practice by Watson's students in the late 19th century. They taught children not to be afraid of animals. The following techniques were involved in this process, which remain relevant to this day.

Learning and learning

The unshakable foundation of the basics, which allows you to change behavior as much as possible or get rid of a bad habit. The method is based on a sample - its role can be played by an idol, a figurine or a symbol, a film, a story, an action or a staged performance. The type of illustrative example is chosen depending on who the psychologist is working with. Let's say a child started smoking, but at the same time he is fond of the work of specific musicians, and they, in turn, support a he althy lifestyle. The psychologist reminds the teenager that even his idols do not do this, and he, imitating the model, unlearns the bad habit. Similarly, you can teach a person to do something, for example, to study more or learn a foreign language.

It is important to note that in this work you should definitely apply the reward system. In the standard version for children, these are sweets, for adults - worthwhile things or money.

Unlearning

A much more rigid method in behavioral therapy, which is based on the explicit avoidance of one or another factor that should be eliminated. Using the same systemrewards for positive actions and a system of punishments and pen alties for negative ones, a person gradually begins to wean himself from doing what he should not do. The most interesting thing is that the unlearning technique can be effective not only on the mental or psychological level, but also on the physical one. A good example from the first area is alcoholism. When a person begins to drink alcohol, the process should be accompanied by an extremely unpleasant odor that causes vomiting. Gradually, alcohol will begin to be associated with just such negative sensations. An example from physiology is enuresis. A special apparatus is attached to the patient, which reacts to the appearance of urine. At the same moment, the patient wakes up and realizes that he is urinating.

Elimination

A very effective method that has become widely known as systematic desensitization. Its essence is that fear or phobia is suppressed by a state of relaxation. Suppose a person is very afraid of heights and, being on the roof of a skyscraper, begins to experience not only conscious anxiety. His body begins to react to fear: muscles contract, pulse quickens, blood pressure rises. So the body and consciousness are united in a state of horror, and the person is completely paralyzed in front of his phobia. If you break this connection, the fear will dry up, and you can do this either by teaching your mind not to notice the height (which is almost unrealistic, because it decided to be afraid of this phenomenon), or to relax bodily. The second option is easier to implement. Therefore, a person is deliberately placed in the environment where he feels the greatestanxiety, and at the same time, with the help of medications or certain psychological manipulations, they relax his muscular corset and reduce cardiological parameters. Gradually, the fear completely disappears.

Become a different person

After reading all of the above, we can conclude that one's behavior, character and habits can be radically changed. Any person can get rid of the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol, from their fears, from diseases and other things that can disturb and cause discomfort. The technique is universal, and can be used by both people with certain problems, and just wanting to change something in their lives and become better. The most interesting segment is the application of a behavioral approach in the management of society, organization, finances, etc. In other words, this is the development of leadership qualities, strengthening oneself as a person.

McGregor's work

The first of the scientists who managed to introduce behaviorism into the field of management was Douglas MacGregor. According to him, the behavioral approach to leadership is nothing more than carefully studying the habits and actions of a particular "boss" and imitating them. There are certain specific features in the behavior of each leader that unite this category of people:

• High intelligence.
• Self-confidence.
• Specific socioeconomic status.
• Responsibility.
• Communication.
• Objectivity.

In all other respects, the qualities of a leader are determined byorganization or group of people that he "owns". An equally important factor is the habitat - for example, the leader of an agricultural community will know a lot about agriculture, but at the same time he will not be able to remember any of the presidents of America, and the leader of a financial organization will be well versed in the economic sphere, sociological, banking, and even legal, but at the same time it is unlikely to be able to competently grow watermelon or potatoes. That is, for each pot - its own vershok.

Types of leaders

In a behavioral approach to leadership, McGregor identified two theories - X and Y. They are like two types of leader, while each of the theories is applicable in all fields of activity: both in agriculture and in the economy.

• Theory X - authoritarianism and despotism. It is understood that people initially do not want to work and shirk in every possible way. They do not need acts of ambition, but crave security. For such people to work, strict control, a system of punishments and threats is necessary.
• Theory Y - democracy and integration. Labor is the basis of the life of every person, in it it is self-fulfilling. Under favorable conditions, each of the employees will be able to take on some of the responsibility and independently strive for success. Introducing people to simple and understandable rules and common goals makes it possible for each of them to control himself. As a result, the leader only combines all the achievements of employees and corrects blots. The team works holistically, and the result is superior to allwaiting.

Which theory is truer?

There is no and cannot be a correct answer to this question. Both theories are equally true, and the correctness of one or the other depends on the mentality of people, their abilities and skills, on experience and on the type of activity. In fact, there are still organizations that practice an authoritarian leadership system. Many employees are really simply not accustomed to order and self-control, they refuse to work in every possible way, so they need to be fined and punished for such mistakes. As a rule, people with a low level of intelligence behave this way, and this phenomenon occurs to a greater extent in underdeveloped countries. A more progressive society most often works according to the Y scheme - that is, the boss is part of the team, a link, and not a Cerberus. Each of the employees is well aware that the success of the company will in any case be reflected in its success, so they are not lazy, but work hard and make every effort to do this, use creativity and practical skills.