- Describe the behavioral perspective on personality
- Describe the social-cognitive perspectives on personality
- Explain Abraham Maslow and Carl Roger’s contributions to personality development
- Discuss biological influences on personality
- Discuss the impact of culture on personality
Behavioral Perspective
In contrast to the psychodynamic approaches of Freud and the neo-Freudians—which explain personality through inner, hidden processes—other schools of psychology argue that personality develops through different mechanisms. These perspectives focus on observable behavior, learning, and the interaction between people and their environments.
behaviorist views on personality
The behavioral approach focuses exclusively on observable behavior, rejecting the idea that we need to explore unconscious forces to understand personality.
Behaviorists do not believe in biological determinism—they do not see personality traits as inborn. Instead, they view personality as shaped by reinforcements and consequences in the environment. People behave consistently because of prior learning, not because of internal traits or unconscious drives.
B. F. Skinner, a strict behaviorist, believed that the environment was solely responsible for all behavior, including the stable patterns that personality theorists study. As you may recall from your study of learning, Skinner proposed that we demonstrate consistent behavior patterns because we develop certain response tendencies (Skinner, 1953). We increase behaviors that lead to positive consequences and decrease behaviors that lead to negative consequences.
Consider Greta, a young woman who is a risk-taker. She drives fast and participates in extreme sports like hang gliding and kiteboarding. But after she gets married and has children, her environment changes. Speeding and extreme sports are no longer reinforced—in fact, they’re now punished through her family’s concern and practical constraints. Greta stops engaging in those behaviors and now describes herself as a cautious person.
From a behavioral perspective, Greta’s personality didn’t reveal a “hidden cautious side”—it changed because her reinforcement environment changed.