Question

Tell briefly one or two of the differences between the radical behaviorists (Watson; Skinner) and the cognitive-behaviorists (methodological behaviorists, like Hull, Bandura, Tolman, and Rotter). If you could work as a student intern with one of them, who would it be and why? (There is no right or wrong answer.) Write 3-12 sentences total.

Answer 1

Answer

The premise of radical behaviorism is that a person’s behaviour would highly be dependent upon the reinforcement type. Skinner explained behaviour as a relationship between a stimulus and response. This means that the interaction between the two would decide the type of behaviour a person is exhibiting. Radical behaviour basically denied any internal feelings , thoughts and drives while studying behaviour.

Cognitive Behaviorists on the other hand, take into account the importance of thoughts and feelings on behaviour. Fir instance , Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. In this theory he simply talks aout how a child learns behaviour by observation and immitation. It involves the cognitive processed of attenion , learning and motivation .

If I were to work as an intern , I would love to work with the Cognitive Behaviorists as they emphasise on the true meaning of psychology. To understand a person’s behaviour we must understand that everything internally and externally happening can influence behaviour of a person . Its bery important to understand and take into account both the aspects i.e. internal state of the person and the external / environmental reinforcements and situations .