Comparing Skinner and Harlow's approaches to investigating behavioral influences

¶ … Skinner and Harlow to Investigating Influences on Behaviors.

One of the most common challenges for psychologists is: understanding the underlying motivations behind specific behavior. This is because there are a wide variety of theories that are providing different interpretations surrounding the primary causes. A good example of this can be seen with disparities in the philosophies of Skinner and Harlow in explaining human motivation. To fully understand each theory requires comparing and contrasting both approaches with one another. These elements will offer the greatest insights about the rationale behind individual behavior.

Skinner

Skinner was focused on the behaviorist approach. This is when there is an emphasis on how the actions (i.e. thoughts, feelings and deeds) of an individual will influence their conduct. According to Skinner, everyone is impacted by these actions throughout the course of their lives with a principal known as operant conditioning. This takes place based upon positive reinforcement that is received and punishments for behavior that is unacceptable. The desire to move towards more positive rewards and away from penance will motivate specific thoughts and actions. (BF Skinner 2011) (Johnston 1993, pp. 8 -- 18)

Harlow

Harry Harlow was focused on how humans react based upon being isolated for long amounts of time. The idea with this kind of approach was to evaluate if there were specific feelings and emotions that were driving a person's behavior. What Harlow determined, is that there are specific factors that will have an influence on how some is reacting to a host of stimuli. At the heart of these feelings, are the importance of companionship and caregiving. This is because everyone needs to feel this sense of connection with like-minded individuals. If this is taken away, it will have an adverse impact on how they will behave (resulting in more frequent outbursts and anti-social behavior). However, when there is this kind of connection, the basic emotional needs of the individual have been fulfilled. This gives them a sense of empowerment about what is happening and greater control over their emotions. (Significance on Animal Behavior 2010)

Skinner vs. Harlow

A comparison of Skinner with Harlow, revels that Harlow was influenced by the ideas of Abraham Maslow. He said that everyone is motivated based on fulfilling specific needs to include: physiological, security, social, esteem and self-actualization. According to Maslow, each person will be motivated by addressing their needs on a certain level. Once this has been completed, is when they will move up to a higher level until they reach self-actualization. These ideas were used to provide a foundation for further understanding human behavior (i.e. The need for intimate emotional connections with people). As a result, this helps further explain the thought patterns behind specific behavior. (Cherry 2012)