John B Watson's Theory

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My Understanding of the Human Behaviour Theory: BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH Human conduct, how we act and how we react are all related to the theory of behaviourism, or the behaviourist approach. Behaviourism as a theory was first founded by John B. Watson and B.F Skinner who saw that all human behaviour is influenced and can be replaced by new, sometimes more appropriate behaviours. John B. Watson knew that by observing obvious behaviours, the reason for certain actions could be identified. This is where the term classical conditioning comes from, meaning of which is when specific influences create or bring on a certain response. B.F Skinner was the man who developed the theory of operant conditioning. This theory relates to when an action is rewarded by a predetermined and expected response. For example, if a client completes his or her course work during study, they are rewarded with a qualification or certain rewards along the way. Another example is when a teacher wants their students to maintain a high level of attendance, they may consider hosting a special lunch if their students reach a predetermined target. As a community care worker in the community …show more content…

B.F Skinner and John B. Watson believed that usual behaviourial responses can be changed through shaping. Shaping is when step by step instructions are provided, such as a routine, to encourage practice of good behaviour. For example, if a client is finding personal hygiene a difficult thing to maintain, they may use a comprehensive step by step list each morning to get ready for work, school or daily life. Too often people with troubles quit on themselves and to even brush their teeth or get dressed in the morning seems a challenge too high. By outlining these things in steps, the client could then re-learn these behaviours and soon it would be expected that they would become natural

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