Learning Theory: Explaining Human Behavior & Its Limitations

This is one of the theories that help explain why human beings tend to behave in a particular way. The theory asserts that learning is one of the most straightforward ways where individuals get to develop specific characteristics. This implies that how individuals are raised will determine their social behavior in the future. Besides, the theory shows a number of limitations that make it less efficient when used in the evaluation of human character. The aspect of having different learning skills across people makes it difficult to compare them using the theory. The behavioral approach helps in gaining an understanding of human characteristics, growth and change, limitations of the theory, and the aspect of personality.

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Healthy Functioning according to the Behavioral Theory

The theory asserts that healthy development in individuals is when they can learn from positive behavior and being able to distinguish from what is right and wrong. The theory argues that individuals are not born with good or bad virtues, and thus, most of them tend to learn from others (Corr & Cooper, 2016). For example, violence in society is an issue of concern that the theory uses as an example. People often become violent because of the aspect of the interaction between people. These imply that bad behavior is learned through individuals.

However, personal conscious can help in ensuring that one can separate what is right and evil and be able to choose the best for him. Therefore, healthy Functioning is when individuals can interact in the right ways that help in empowering others (Corr & Cooper, 2016). Healthy development is achieved when individuals can live a comfortable life that is free from stress and other psychological illnesses.

Characteristics of Personas that can lead to the Dysfunction according to the theory

Bad behavior among individuals may result in the negative aspects that are associated with these particular theories. People that portray adverse reactions are likely to be perceived in the wrong way by others in society. For example, rejection from others will arise when an individual does not subscribe to better ideas and behaviors. In this case, such an individual is likely to face rejection and other forms of oppression from other groups that may not like their actions.

The Process of Growth according to the theory

The theory states that growth in an individual is experienced when they can overcome their challenges in life. For example, individuals that can learn bad behavior as they grow can only experience change when they realize the wrongs that they have been doing. This implies that virtues are discovered and cannot be quickly abandoned at once, as the mind is already used to (Corr & Cooper, 2016). Therefore, such individuals will find hard moments as they try to quit their behavior. Going through counseling and other lessons may help such individuals to be able to experience changes in their lives.

On the other hand, an individual can experience transformation through the art of observation on others. This means that one can learn better skills from others that they can use to improve their lives. For example, an individual that is considered alcoholic has the chance to change by learning from peers on how they can quit the bad behavior. Also, realizing the rewards that are associated with particular action is one way to experience changes according to the theory.

First, the aspect of violence may be rewarded by regrets and frustrations that may occur later. This means that individuals can be able to stop particular actions by understanding the harm that could be experienced in their lives on a later date.

Intervention Techniques to Initiate Change

Change, according to the theory, can be intervened through making personal decisions. The theory implies that decision making is always crucial in the life of an individual. The ability for one to make the right choices will often offer them a chance to experience better growth.

In this case, one has to behave in the best way by evaluating things that bring a positive benefit to their life and rather ignore activities that bring harm (Corr & Cooper, 2016). Personal decisions come out strongly, especially when one has been able to get convinced by their thoughts and instincts.

On the other hand, another technique that can be used under this theory to facilitate change is through positive influence from others. This implies that several people can be used to influence change in an individual. For example, the use of teachers, counselors, and parents can help initiate change in these individuals. This is because affected people may be looking upon others that they consider role models as their examples in life. In this way, they can be influenced to quit bad character and embrace good behavior. Also, how children are raised in society is one way that may act as an intervention towards the achievement of growth among individuals.

For example, there are several actions that the community ensures that it is against hence acts as a discouragement to individuals. For example, the use of drugs is every day in behavior among teenagers. Therefore, the initiatives that are put in place to curb such action may help the addicts to be able to quit the practice and embrace a new life.

Therefore, the theory asserts that change is essential in the presence of individuals. It ensures that people can move from stagnation by experiencing better lifestyles (Corr & Cooper, 2016). Thus, identifying some of these techniques may help individuals to get into the right path of life. Challenges may be experienced when looking for a change, but the most critical aspect is ensuring that individuals are resilient.

Limitations/Drawbacks of the Theory

Limitations are familiar with various theories understudy, but the most important thing is learning how to deal with such challenges when they arise. The behavioral approach has some limitations that may make it challenging to achieve individual goals. One of the limitations of this theory is the aspect of people having different abilities in learning (Corr & Cooper, 2016). This implies that individuals may find it challenging to adopt particular behaviors because of the challenge of knowledge that might be difficult for them to change. This means that genetics is different from people, and thus this explains why people often make different choices despite receiving similar lessons.

Also, several skills cannot be obtained through learning from others but rather through training. For example, typing skills cannot be instilled in an individual by others. One has to ensure some vigorous training lessons to enable them to possess the skills. This is another challenge with the theory concerning the aspect of learning from others. There is a 90% possibility that the two students are likely to perform differently in a test despite being subjected through equal chances in learning (Corr & Cooper, 2016). Also, the argument fails to explain the existing relationship between the years of learning between students and their experience when it comes to their interpretation.

For example, students that have gone through the same education and possess the same level experience may have different definitions of particular concepts. Therefore, this undermines the efficiency of the theory in the evaluation of human behavior. Learning how to deal with such challenges and limitations will help improve the method in the future.

Personality, Values, Style, Ideas about Human Nature in the Theory

The theory fits with personality because it helps in describing individuals and why they tend to behave in a certain way. For example, the theory states that individuals are differentiated from each other because of the different behaviors that they display (Corr & Cooper, 2016). This means that the society comprises of both good and bad people. Therefore, the practice can be quickly established through the actions of an individual. Also, the theory fits with personality as it explains that change might lead to the development of new characters in life. This is whereby individuals that were good change and become bad people and vice-versa.

On the other hand, the theory explains about values. It expounds on how people tend to act in a certain way to maintain specific amounts in society. Appraisals are often used to describe the personality of an individual. Individual's actions consider their benefits and thus influence them on the way to act.

Besides, it is easier to understand human nature using this particular theory. It provides ideas on how to observe individual behaviors and ascertaining the type of virtues that they hold. This makes it easier to distinguish the different types of people that society has. Therefore, the theory is informing as it aids in learning human behavior in terms of challenges that they experience and techniques that might be used to ensure that growth has been attained.

To sum up, the behavioral theory provides a good analysis of human behavior. There are also a number of theories that can help explain the concept of humans in terms of their thinking and how they act. These theories provide a broad understanding to help people understand women and enhance their relationships during interactions. Personalities may vary across individuals depending on the values that they learned and their social interaction as well.

References

Corr, P. J., & Cooper, A. J. (2016). The Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ): Development and validation. Psychological assessment, 28(11), 1427.