Stimulus Response Theory

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A theory I decided to use to develop and intervention program to lower pregnancies in teenagers is the stimulus response theory. The stimulus response theory is a “behavior change theory that is incorporated” to explain and modify a person’s behavior (Sidman, 2006). Stimulus response theory is also refers to conditioning. I chose this theory because it is one of the oldest theories in the books and is still used widely today. Also, it is an essential tool for targeting the younger population for preventative reasons and it is easy for young people to comprehend. Within the stimulus response theory, there are four different types of events that can follow a behavior as well as the effects the events will have on the forthcoming behavior. …show more content…

Attitudes are a good way to predict spontaneous unplanned behavior. However, our attitudes do not always correctly predict our deliberate behavior. According to Murray Sidman, attitudes combined with perceived control and norms actually predict our intentions (Sidman, 2006). Using the stimulus response theory will help teenagers make better decisions because they will understand how to determine their intentions. Intention is determined behavioral beliefs, control beliefs, and normative beliefs. The stimulus response theory will help teens predict or understand their attitude towards pregnancy if they have unprotected sex. The negative attitude of being pregnant at a young age will give teens insight on using protection or abstinence. Also, they will acknowledge the benefits as well as risks of teen pregnancy. The behavioral beliefs will help create a supportive or unsupportive attitude towards the behavior and guide their contemplation of negative and positive outcomes. The question he or she may ask themselves include: if I have sex, what will the outcome be or what are the benefits of having sex and what are the negative consequences I might encounter? Next, the control beliefs create a behavioral

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