Behavioral perspective psychology and real-world applications

Behavioral perspective psychology examines your environment and learned associations to figure out how they intertwine. While often taught in an academic setting, the behavioral perspective theory has applications that can help you improve your everyday life.

Understanding the science and practical applications associated with this concept can help you harness it to achieve personal growth and development. Behavioral perspective can also make you

According to behavioral theory, people learn behaviors through a type of learning known as conditioning. Conditioning suggests that your reaction to certain objects or events (known as environmental stimuli) can change based on the general learning process. 

For example, if you show a positive behavior that is somehow rewarded, you are more likely to behave that way in the future. If you behave poorly, you may face negative consequences that make you less likely to behave that way again.

Behaviorism is mostly based on unbiased observable behavior rather than on individual mental states or mental processes. Many behaviorists also believe that personality is not primarily shaped by genetics but by environmental factors. This theory is known as the behavioral perspective of personality, which falls under the broader behaviorism umbrella.

The behavioral perspective theory combines the work of multiple psychologists who studied behavioral psychology, including the following:

• B. F. Skinner: Skinner discovered schedules of reinforcement, which focus on how often a reward needs to be delivered to strengthen a behavior (or conditioned response)
• Edward Thorndike: Thorndike introduced the law of effect, which states that any behavior that is followed by positive reinforcement is likely to be repeated. Similarly, any behavior followed by negative consequences is likely to be avoided.
• John B. Watson: Watson emphasized external behavior in behaviorism rather than considering intrinsic motivations such as those described in the self-determination theory of motivation
• Ivan Pavlov: Pavlov discovered classical conditioning, which led to the school of thought for the behavioral perspective of behavior change
• Albert Bandura: A Canadian-American psychologist, Bandura proposed social learning theory. His theory states that people learn by watching the way others behave (also called observational learning). It also includes an observation of any positive or negative reinforcement they receive.
• Clark Hull: Hull developed the drive reduction theory, which states that a desire to satisfy basic needs drives all human motivation. The goal is to maintain a state of homeostasis.
• Kenneth Spence: In his research on behavior modification, Spence found that learning potential depended on two things: the strength of the drive that comes from a desire to meet basic needs and the strength of the incentive

Core pillars of the behavioral perspective

The behavioral perspective theory states that all types of human behavior can be learned through two types of conditioning: operant conditioning and classical conditioning. 

Operant conditioning

Operant conditioning states that adding a consequence, such as a reward or punishment, can modify behaviors. This type of conditioning plays an important role in organizational settings. For example, your boss might give you positive feedback for taking initiative on work that wasn’t assigned to you. Because of the encouragement you received, you’re reinforced to continue doing this.

Similarly, a child might receive a time-out because they threw a toy. Because the child received punishment, they’re less likely to throw things in the future.

Classical conditioning

Classical conditioning involves associating a response with a neutral stimulus rather than a consequence. 

The most famous example of classical conditioning is the experiment with Pavlov’s dogs. Pavlov found that when he gave dogs food while ringing a bell, the dogs eventually associated the sound of the bell with food. The neutral stimulus of a bell to the food caused the dogs to salivate every time they heard the bell. This reflex response (salivating) occurred even when food wasn’t present. 

A practical example of this happens when you’re in public and hear a tone that sounds similar to your phone’s ringtone. Upon hearing this sound, you instinctively reach for your phone, only to find that the sound came from somewhere else. 

Your ringtone is the neutral stimulus, and reaching for your phone when you hear that sound is your reflexive response. You learned this automatic behavior by associating your ringtone with someone trying to reach you.

Applications of the behavioral perspective 

Although behavioral perspective is a theory, it has useful applications. Behaviorism manifests across various focus areas to modify behaviors, enhance learning outcomes, and drive personal and career growth.

Education

Because behavioral perspective is a method of learning, it has many applications within an educational setting. For example, teachers can use consistent encouragement to help students learn. They can also create a reward system for a job well done.

Additionally, educators can teach by modeling the behaviors they want their students to adopt. This application stems from Bandura’s social learning theory regarding how humans learn by watching others, expanding upon the concept of behaviorism.

Marketing

Marketing campaigns also use behaviorism to create a stronger connection with the company’s audience. A behavioral perspective example within marketing is seeing a commercial multiple times that has a nostalgic song from your childhood playing in the background. Eventually, your fond memories of the song may become associated with the brand’s name and likeness.

Companies can also use loyalty programs to draw in customers. For example, a shopper spends $10 at a clothing store and gets a $2 reward to use toward their next purchase for being a loyal customer. This can create positive reinforcement that drives the customer to continue their loyalty to that brand.

Workplace culture

Similarly, workplaces apply behaviorism through reward systems. Companies can incentivize employees with rewards, such as gift cards or earning an extra vacation day, for meeting quarterly sales goals. Workplaces also use negative consequences to discourage negative behaviors, usually through company policies.

For example, if an employee has excessive absences, they might receive a verbal or written warning. This can help deter the behavior because of the negative response.

Self-improvement

A behavioral perspective can also help you achieve self-improvement goals. For example, if you decide to change your morning routine by waking up early each day, you get rewarded with more time to do things. This reward can reinforce your desired behavior and turn it into a healthy habit.

Behaviorism can also help you break bad habits. Let’s say you have a problem with overeating junk food and often feel sick after doing so. Eventually, you’ll associate those foods with feeling sick, which may make it easier to avoid them.

Therapy

The behavioral perspective of therapy helps you change unhealthy behaviors through behavioral goals. This type of therapy is action-based to help you eliminate negative behaviors that affect your mental health. It can also help you learn new behaviors.

For example, if you’re trying to quit smoking, you might use a method called aversion therapy. This type of therapy associates a behavior you want to change with a negative sensation. Your therapist might have you engage in rapid smoking, which is when you take a puff every few seconds to make smoking unpleasant. This may help to associate your behavior with negative reinforcement, which can make it less rewarding.

Criticisms and consequences of behavioral perspective

Every theory comes with its critiques and limitations. A few common criticisms of behavioral perspective include the following:

• It ignores internal influences: Because behaviorism focuses solely on external stimuli and observable behaviors, it fails to consider internal motivators or cognitive processes like thoughts, feelings, and core beliefs. It also omits the role of cognitive distortions that may shape your perception. These internal influences may play a role in why you choose one behavior over another. For example, you might aim to get good grades because the recognition makes you feel good. Similarly, you might cry because you feel unappreciated.
• It’s oversimplified: Behavioral perspective might not explain more complex learning processes that include creative thinking, problem-solving, or critical thinking skills. It also ignores the idea of free will, which refers to decision-making that isn’t based on internal or external factors. This makes it a one-dimensional approach to try to explain all human and animal behavior.
• It doesn’t consider other shapers of personality: Behaviorism suggests that external stimuli are the primary factor in personality development. This doesn’t explain the predisposition some people seem to have to certain behavioral competencies.

Use behavioral perspective to propel your personal development

The behavioral perspective leverages human behaviors to drive personal and professional growth. By recognizing your patterns, motivations, and stimuli, you can implement strategies that foster positive change.

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