Behavior

Running Head : Behavior

Behavior

In APA Style

I . Introduction

The individual 's behavior is shaped through his /her experiences in life He may react on something based on the circumstances he /she is experiencing at the present . If an individual experiences pressure frequently and intensively , it may cause him to break down and react negatively . However , other individuals who seldom experiences pressures may react differently in more composed behavior

This explanation is premised on the idea that human behavior is determined by forces within the individual thus , individuals make

their own behavior . Human behavior is not characterized by unanimity but by differences in expressions and emotions (Alland , 2003 . Proponents assume that human behavior is guided by emergent norms . Individuals who come together have divergent views , some act spontaneously with each other , others express what they feel and still others are restrained in their behavior . These people interact with each other guided by symbols and an emergent norm comes about (Loy , 2001 . In the process of responding to each other , a revised definition of the situation comes about and then individuals act in terms this definition

So , in rallies , riots , mobs or demonstrations , there are some participants who are highly excited , expressing anger , hate , or fear and there are some who are more contained in the expression of their emotions . Moreover , the norm may also define limits to their behavior

II . Discussion

A . B .F . Skinner

B .F . Skinner carried behaviorism even further by developing more effective techniques pf shaping behavior using operant conditioning . Any kind of behavior could be an operant , a behavior that is shaped in the conditioning process

For example : An infant is given food it eats . The food is the stimulus eating is the response . But the mother wants the infant to sit up straight while eating . She waits until the baby stops squirming for a moment and assumes the desired position . Then she offers the food Before long the hungry child automatically takes the correct position when seated at the table . The unconditioned response to the food stimulus is eating the conditioned response is the taking of the desired position (Zuriff , 1999 . The baby 's natural squirming is the operant , a feature of behavior that originally had nothing to do with the stimulus - response pattern . By waiting until the squirming results momentarily in the desired position before offering the food , the mother shapes the stimulus - response pattern (Morris , 2004

Skinner and his followers have been quick to point out that conditioning is more complicated than this example suggests and that it is never a one-way process . When the mother rewards the baby with food she is also likely to show her approval in other ways , such as smiling Thus , the baby 's smiling behavior is also being shaped - or is the baby shaping the mother 's smiling behavior ? No doubt the child and mother shape and socialize each other in their respective roles (Morris , 2004 Recognizing the reciprocal nature of conditioning , many sociologists use variations on...