Behavioural Approach To Psychology Between The 1920's
Behavioural Approach
Behaviourism, otherwise known as the behaviourist approach, was the key concept in psychology between the 1920’s to 1950. Methodology and behavioural analysis were the underlying assumptions on which it was founded on (McLeod, 2007). Observable behaviour (i.e. external behaviour) is the basis of behaviourism. This behaviour is unlike thinking and emotion which links to internal events. These events (such as thinking) should be explained through behavioural terms or eliminated altogether. Observable behaviour is known to be measured objectively and scientifically. McLeod (2007) stated that all behaviour is learnt from the environment.
Skinner’s Approach
Skinner alleged that receiving rewards or favourable things naturally influences human nature and the way we behave. Sincero (2012) states that “if we want to experience reinforcement, then we should develop personality traits that are positive, such as those attributes included in the ‘agreeableness’ category of the Big Five (e.g. being …show more content…
understanding, compassionate, empathetic, and a positive thinker)”. It was then believed that our behaviour and personality traits could be moulded and controlled by society. Skinner deemed that to respond to every type of reinforcement is simply human nature (Sincero, 2012). Thus, changing our environment first would lead to the transformation of negative traits into positive ones.
Skinner’s Approach Applied
Anna has spent years (preadolescent and adolescent years) in isolation within an extremely protected environment.
The opening of the castle doors for Elsa’s coronation is welcomed by Anna. This signals a significant change in the environment (people and activities) and is expressed in the song “For the First Time in Forever" where she expresses her need and excitement for the change in environment, “There’ll be actual real-life people,” Anna sings, “it’ll be totally strange. But wow! Am I so ready for this change!”. Her naivety and behavioural response to meeting Hans (love interest) is grounded on the society and environment in which she has developed. Anna’s isolation has resulted in a protected environment in which she has only experienced ‘good behaviour and personality traits’ (Sincero, 2012). Her environment has encouraged her to development the personality trait ‘agreeableness’ (Sincero, 2012) which makes her an easy target for
manipulation.
Anna’s behaviour is ‘learnt from the environment’ (McLeod, 2007), and is modelled on the palace gallery of doe-eyed princesses who represent and encourage passive feminine behaviour. Anna sings about being a ‘picture of sophisticated grace’ and her understanding of how this behaviour receives positive reinforcement – being doted on by an adoring man. Her limited environment has provided her with few models of manhood and therefore her behaviour is limited.
Skinner implied that if our negative traits are to be changed into positive ones, our environment must change first (Sincero, 2012). This is a strict behaviourist point of view which challenges other psychological beliefs that we must alter our inner self first (personality traits) before we can fully realise change.
The opening of the castle gates has caused environment changes which are further increased by Anna’s decision to leave this ‘environment’ after Elsa flees following the exposure of her secret powers. At the onset of Anna’s journey to find Elsa and save the town, she asks for help. This is very indicative of the protected environment which has shaped her behaviour. Her journey into the new environment and stimuli encourages and rewards the emergence of ‘new’ personality traits through ‘positive reinforcement’ (Sincero, 2012). Anna’s personality develops through this adventure to show a determined young woman who wastes no time in going out into the snowy wilderness alone and her every action proves that she doesn’t need help (Bullock, 2014). Her efforts to persuade Elsa out of hiding show a confidence which contrast with the ‘old’ Anna who modelled her behaviour (Sincero, 2012) on the ‘doe-eyed’ princesses depicted in pictures in the castle gallery.
The end of the film forces the characters into change and Anna has to accept (learnings through environmental change) that her behaviour and notions of love are false and develop new, healthier goals. The positive influence of physical environmental change on personality traits, specifically “the Big Five (e.g. being understanding, compassionate, empathetic, and a positive thinker)”, referred to by Sincero (2012), is reinforced by the coming together of the two sisters who embrace these changes and express them in positive ways. The gates of Arendelle’s royal castle are finally opened as acknowledgement of the need for growth through positive environmental change (Sincero, 2012).
Behaviourism, otherwise known as the behaviourist approach, was the key concept in psychology between the 1920’s to 1950. Methodology and behavioural analysis were the underlying assumptions on which it was founded on (McLeod, 2007). Observable behaviour (i.e. external behaviour) is the basis of behaviourism. This behaviour is unlike thinking and emotion which links to internal events. These events (such as thinking) should be explained through behavioural terms or eliminated altogether. Observable behaviour is known to be measured objectively and scientifically. McLeod (2007) stated that all behaviour is learnt from the environment.
Skinner’s Approach
Skinner alleged that receiving rewards or favourable things naturally influences human nature and the way we behave. Sincero (2012) states that “if we want to experience reinforcement, then we should develop personality traits that are positive, such as those attributes included in the ‘agreeableness’ category of the Big Five (e.g. being …show more content…
understanding, compassionate, empathetic, and a positive thinker)”. It was then believed that our behaviour and personality traits could be moulded and controlled by society. Skinner deemed that to respond to every type of reinforcement is simply human nature (Sincero, 2012). Thus, changing our environment first would lead to the transformation of negative traits into positive ones.
Skinner’s Approach Applied
Anna has spent years (preadolescent and adolescent years) in isolation within an extremely protected environment.
The opening of the castle doors for Elsa’s coronation is welcomed by Anna. This signals a significant change in the environment (people and activities) and is expressed in the song “For the First Time in Forever" where she expresses her need and excitement for the change in environment, “There’ll be actual real-life people,” Anna sings, “it’ll be totally strange. But wow! Am I so ready for this change!”. Her naivety and behavioural response to meeting Hans (love interest) is grounded on the society and environment in which she has developed. Anna’s isolation has resulted in a protected environment in which she has only experienced ‘good behaviour and personality traits’ (Sincero, 2012). Her environment has encouraged her to development the personality trait ‘agreeableness’ (Sincero, 2012) which makes her an easy target for
manipulation.
Anna’s behaviour is ‘learnt from the environment’ (McLeod, 2007), and is modelled on the palace gallery of doe-eyed princesses who represent and encourage passive feminine behaviour. Anna sings about being a ‘picture of sophisticated grace’ and her understanding of how this behaviour receives positive reinforcement – being doted on by an adoring man. Her limited environment has provided her with few models of manhood and therefore her behaviour is limited.
Skinner implied that if our negative traits are to be changed into positive ones, our environment must change first (Sincero, 2012). This is a strict behaviourist point of view which challenges other psychological beliefs that we must alter our inner self first (personality traits) before we can fully realise change.
The opening of the castle gates has caused environment changes which are further increased by Anna’s decision to leave this ‘environment’ after Elsa flees following the exposure of her secret powers. At the onset of Anna’s journey to find Elsa and save the town, she asks for help. This is very indicative of the protected environment which has shaped her behaviour. Her journey into the new environment and stimuli encourages and rewards the emergence of ‘new’ personality traits through ‘positive reinforcement’ (Sincero, 2012). Anna’s personality develops through this adventure to show a determined young woman who wastes no time in going out into the snowy wilderness alone and her every action proves that she doesn’t need help (Bullock, 2014). Her efforts to persuade Elsa out of hiding show a confidence which contrast with the ‘old’ Anna who modelled her behaviour (Sincero, 2012) on the ‘doe-eyed’ princesses depicted in pictures in the castle gallery.
The end of the film forces the characters into change and Anna has to accept (learnings through environmental change) that her behaviour and notions of love are false and develop new, healthier goals. The positive influence of physical environmental change on personality traits, specifically “the Big Five (e.g. being understanding, compassionate, empathetic, and a positive thinker)”, referred to by Sincero (2012), is reinforced by the coming together of the two sisters who embrace these changes and express them in positive ways. The gates of Arendelle’s royal castle are finally opened as acknowledgement of the need for growth through positive environmental change (Sincero, 2012).