Different psychological theories have been developed to explain human behavior, thinking and feelings. There are five main perspectives/approaches to psychology namely behavioral approach, biological approach, cognitive approach, psychodynamic approach, and humanistic perspective (Myers, 2009). The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast different psychological perspectives. It will compare Skinner’s theoretical perspective with that of Freud and Rogers covering both the differences and similarities. Specific areas to be covered include their deterministic stance, the role of a person, positivism and significance of the conscious processes in human personality.
Skinner V. Freud
Skinner developed a behavioral approach to psychology arguing external environmental stimuli are the main factor shaping people’s behavior or personality. He also believes that people can be trained to act in a given manner. Therefore, there is nothing like free will, but systems of reinforcements and punishments can be used to influence people behaviors and personalities ( Overskeid, 2007 ). On the other hand, Sigmund Freud believes that most of human impulses are drive by sexual urge or desire. In other words, childhood experiences and unconscious motive are key factors influencing their future personalities and conflicts are likely to arise if the society imposes restrictions on these urges ( Overskeid, 2007) . He developed psychodynamic approach which believes in the significance role of unconscious drives in shaping future behaviors and personalities of people.
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However, Freud assumed existence of developmental stages and tripartite mind comprising the id, ego and superego, but Skinner does not recognize these assumptions, instead he recognized dual mind; both conscious and unconscious mind as factors that influence behavior. Freud further argued that personality development is a consequence of unconscious drives and childhood experiences (Myers, 2009). On the contrast, Skinner argued that personality development is determined by operating conditioning or external environmental stimuli. However, both Skinner and Freud’s theoretical perspectives recognize the role of unconscious mind in shaping behavioral/personalities of people.
In regard to deterministic and free will, Skinner is not a proponent of free will and believes that behaviors are determined by learning through operating conditioning. He further stressed that human personality is determined by their environment (Feist & Feist, 2009). Freud argued that behaviors are derived from unconscious mind and hence are not consciously controlled. In contrast to Skinner, Freud argued total self awareness is impossible ( Overskeid, 2007) . Skinners assert that human beings have conscious and are totally aware of themselves as a part of the larger environment. In his view, the self-awareness can enhance or reduce the probability of behavior. However, even though Freud recognizes the three levels of consciousness: unconscious, pre-conscious and conscious, he believed that majority of personality is unconscious.
Skinner V. Rogers
Skinner is a behavioral psychologist who believes that people’s behavior, feelings, and thinking are shaped by stimuli in external environment. On the other hand, Rogers is a humanistic psychologist which believes that supportive environment is necessary in motivating people to attain their full potential. Rogers’s believes in individual empowerment and that motivation is critical in helping an individual to become the best person they can be and improve their life ( Overskeid, 2007) . For example, those trying to reduce smoking, Rogers would encourage and support them instead of directly discouraging them to stop smoking or even attempt to analyze and find out why they are smoking.
Rogers believes in free will of people while Skinner believes reinforcement and punishments to shape the behavior and feeling of people. Rogers argued that human beings are good people always striving to improve and get better hence require support to achieve their full potential ( Overskeid, Grønnerød, & Simonton, 2012) . This means that not all behaviors and personalities are determined. The inner life is emphasized by Rogers which entail the inner will, experience, freedom, choice, growth, courage, feelings and self actualization.
On the contrary, Skinner emphasized the outer life which includes observable behavior and external reinforcements such as reward and punishments as the main factors determining the behavior of people. For Skinners, all attributes of personality result from operant conditioning learning where satisfying behaviors are encouraged through rewards while unsatisfying ones are discouraged through punishment. Therefore, Skinner perspective is an external determinist approach to psychology as opposed to Rogers’ free will approach to psychology ( Overskeid, Grønnerød, & Simonton, 2012) . The proponents of free will have argued that determinism takes away freedom and dignity thereby devaluing human behavior. They also under estimate the uniqueness of human beings as well as the freedom to reach their destiny.
Conclusion
The three approaches advanced by Skinner, Freud, Rogers differ in their perspectives of human nature. Rogers consider human beings as a good people always striving to improve and get better hence require support to achieve their goals and objectives. Freud approach believes that human nature is determined by their unconscious mind while skinner asserts that human personality is determined by external environment through operating conditioning. It clear that Freud’s approach to psychology is internal or genetic/biological determinism approaches because it is a type of unconscious motivation while Rogers’ is free will approach. While Rogers would be preferred therapists, Skinner’s model represent a truly radical view of human thinking, behavior and feelings.
References
Feist, J & Feist, G. (2009). Theories of Personality (7 th Ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Overskeid, G. (2007). Looking for Skinner and Finding Freud. American Psychologist, 62(6), 590-595.
Overskeid, G., Grønnerød, C., & Simonton, D. K. (2012). The personality of a nonperson: Gauging the inner Skinner. Perspectives on Psychological Science , 7 (2), 187-197.
Myers, D. G. (2009). Exploring psychology in modules (8 th Ed.). New York, NY: Worth Custom Publishing.
