compare and contrast positive psychology with behaviorism. How do they differ? What would be the viewpoint of a behaviorist on the concepts of choice, change, and control?
Positive psychology and behaviorism are two different approaches within the field of psychology. While both aim to understand human behavior and improve wellbeing, they differ in their perspective and underlying principles.
Positive psychology emphasizes the study of positive human experiences, strengths, and virtues, with a focus on promoting happiness, fulfillment, and wellbeing. It seeks to explore factors that contribute to human flourishing, such as positive emotions, optimism, resilience, and personal strengths. Positive psychology encourages individuals to cultivate positive thoughts, engage in meaningful activities, and foster healthy relationships.
On the other hand, behaviorism is a school of thought in psychology that emphasizes the study of observable behavior. It focuses on understanding the relationship between stimuli and responses, and how behaviors are learned and modified through conditioning. Behaviorists believe that behavior is shaped by environmental factors, and they focus on observable and measurable behaviors rather than internal mental processes.
When it comes to the concepts of choice, change, and control, behaviorists generally have a deterministic viewpoint. They believe that behavior is determined by prior experiences and reinforcement contingencies in the environment. According to behaviorists, individuals have limited control over their behaviors as they are driven by external stimuli and the consequences of their actions. Choice, from a behaviorist perspective, is seen as a result of learned associations and conditioning.
Regarding change, behaviorists believe that behavior can be modified and shaped through various techniques such as reinforcement, punishment, and modeling. They emphasize changing behavior by altering the environmental conditions that influence it. The focus is on measurable and observable changes in behavior rather than internal changes in thoughts or emotions.
Control, in the context of behaviorism, is seen as the ability to influence behavior through manipulating environmental factors. Behaviorists often view control as being exerted by external stimuli or consequences. They believe that by understanding and manipulating these factors, individuals can shape and control their behavior to some extent.
In contrast, positive psychology takes a more holistic and self-directed approach to choice, change, and control. It acknowledges the role of individual agency and considers personal choices, internal processes, and subjective experiences as significant contributors to behavior and wellbeing. Positive psychology aims to empower individuals by promoting self-awareness, self-regulation, and the development of personal strengths to enhance control over one's behavior and life choices.