Wesley has learned that if he cries with his mother in public, she will often get him a new toy or a piece of candy so as to quiet him. Which of the following perspectives explains Wesley’s behavior?
a. psychodynamic
b. cognitive
c. behaviorial
d. biopsychological
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is: c. behavioral
Explanation:
Wesley’s behavior can best be explained through the behavioral perspective, which focuses on how environmental stimuli and consequences shape behavior through learning. This perspective is rooted in the principles of classical conditioning (learning by association) and operant conditioning (learning through consequences such as reinforcement or punishment), primarily developed by psychologists such as B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson.
In the scenario provided, Wesley learns that when he cries in public, his mother responds by giving him a new toy or candy. This outcome serves as a positive reinforcement — a concept in operant conditioning where a behavior is strengthened because it is followed by a rewarding stimulus. The candy or toy is the reinforcer, and the behavior (crying) increases in frequency because it successfully leads to a desirable outcome. Over time, Wesley becomes conditioned to use crying as a means to manipulate his environment and receive rewards.
The behavioral perspective does not delve into internal thoughts, emotions, or unconscious motives. Instead, it strictly analyzes observable behaviors and the external factors that reinforce or discourage them. In Wesley’s case, the reinforcement provided by the mother makes it more likely that crying will be repeated in future public settings, as the behavior has proven effective in gaining rewards.
To contrast, the psychodynamic perspective (choice a) focuses on unconscious drives and childhood experiences; cognitive (choice b) examines internal mental processes such as thinking and reasoning; and biopsychological (choice d) looks at genetic, neurological, and biological processes. None of these directly explain the learned behavior resulting from reinforcement, making behavioral the most appropriate choice.
This scenario is a textbook example of how operant conditioning shapes behavior through reward, highlighting the core principles of the behavioral perspective in psychology. Would you like an example of how this might be addressed in a classroom or clinical setting?