Question

Between B.F. Skinner and Carl Rogers, whose perspective do you think is more promising for the types of problems addressed in abnormal psychology?

Answer 1

Carl Rogers and Skinner are the most prominent figures who contributed to the development of psychology. Carl Rogers was a psychotherapist. He says that an individual can attain self actualization; if he is living the life to the fullest, since self actualization is the motivating force to achieve full potential of an individual.

Self concept – Once perception on how others see them, it is based on social relation, life experience and individual’s attitude. If the individual has experienced positive response, then the individual experience self worth. Self concept is very important, since it acts like guideline for individual behavior towards others and it affects their decision making.

Thus Carl Rogers developed a theory, for individuals to become fully functional person meaning psychologically healthy and is open to new experience and having the awareness of their feelings and those of others around them.

Skinner on the other hand has done studies on how behavior is modified when reinforced. Thus came up with the Operant conditioning experiment. Probability of behavior being repeated can have a positive or a negative effect. Number of behavior can be learned from its consequences.

Positive reinforcement strengthen a behavior by providing a consequences an individual finds rewarding. Example: When an employee gets recognized for his works, he is likely to repeat his behavior in doing so.

Negative reinforcement is removing an unpleasant behavior to strengthen a behavior.

Example: Parking car in the no park zone will attract fine, hence to avoid this strengthening behavior by parking the car in the parking lot.

Thus these studies can be used to explain a wide variety of behaviors; however operant conditioning does not provide how the learning takes place.