A Unified Behavior Theory

Integrative Essay

• By understanding the influence of constrained behavior, you should be able to minimize the role it plays in your life. Describe two personal situations in which genetically based behavior influences you, and how you could arrange your environment to minimize its influence and make you a better person.

A:

To Think About

• In terms of our basic beliefs about human nature, behaviorism is at odds with many of our cherished societal beliefs. For example, behaviorism sees the environment as ultimately responsible for behavior, while our society bases many of our institutions on a belief in the responsibility of the individual for his own actions (i.e.- if you rob a liquor store, you go to jail). How would society change if we were to accept a science of behavior?