Behavioral Perspective

Behavioral perspective is a field of psychology in which observable/measurable behavior is given importance. The environment is considered as the determining factor with respect to a person's behavior. The core/essence of behaviorism is that all the actions, feelings and thoughts of a person can be termed/deemed as behavior. According to the theory of behaviorism, there is no difference between the privately observed processes (thinking and feeling) and the publicly observed ones (actions/behavior).

What is Behavioral Perspective?

The 'Tabula Rasa' theory, also known as blank state theory is the base of behaviorism. Behaviorism is based on the concept that a baby is born without knowledge and the only way to derive it is from the surroundings. There are many different versions of this concept as proposed by different individuals. Descriptions of these versions/viewpoints are presented below.

Methodological Perspective: This version is based on objective study of behavioral patterns. Internal states or mental life is not taken into account.

Radical Perspective: B.F. Skinner played an important role in shaping up radical behaviorism theory. This version of behaviorism is different from methodological with respect to the acceptance of states of mind and feelings. It is also argued that these feelings and states of mind are subject to scientific treatment. Interestingly, the feelings and states of mind are not considered as the causes of behavior exhibited by a person.

Theoretical Perspective: The inner states are accepted by the theoretical form of behaviorism. The theoretical structures used for explaining this form of behaviorism are eclectically chosen.

Biological Perspective: In biological or physiological behavioral perspective, the perceptual aspect of changes in behavior is taken into account. The motor modules which affect behavior are also considered.

Cognitive Behavioral Perspective: The way a person perceives a particular situation/scenario influences his/her behavioral pattern. The person's ability to reason out and solve problems also determines the behavioral pattern.

Social Behavioral Perspective: Social behavioral perspective takes into account the socio-economic conditions that a person faces in the developmental phase. These conditions are said to affect the behavioral pattern.

Teleological Perspective: The teleological perspective is more inclined towards objective observation. Cognitive processes are not given importance from the point of influencing behavioral patterns.

Humanistic Perspective: The works of Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers influenced this theory. Motivation is considered as a factor that plays an important part in shaping up the behavioral pattern. Self-actualization therefore, is an important concept to be studied in understanding the humanistic perspective.

Behavioral Perspective Examples

The examples presented below should help understand how the different forms of stimulation/changes in the environment influence behavior of a person.

One of the best examples is that of experiments conducted on dogs by Pavlov. The process of conditioning was used for dogs to learn a particular behavior. Putting food in the mouth of dogs would make them salivate. The dogs got used to this routine and later on they began salivating at mere sight of food. Pavlov gave food to the dogs and used a bell to indicate the time of meal. The dogs got used to this routine and began salivating just by hearing the bells.

Another example is that of using positive/negative reinforcements so as to influence behavior of a person. Attempts are made to influence academic performance of a student by means of such behavior modifications. Rote memorization also is one of the examples of influencing the behavior/way the brain functions.

There are many factors which influence the behavioral pattern of a person. The existence of innate abilities, mental states, thoughts and feelings cannot be written off outrightly. Just like objective observation, inherent qualities, skill, etc. have the potential to affect a person's behavior.