Behavioral Theory: The Connection Between Actions and Personality

Behavioral theory focuses on observable, measurable behaviors and how they're learned through conditioning and environmental influences, offering evidence-based therapeutic techniques that help individuals modify problematic patterns and develop healthier responses through structured behavioral interventions.

Ever wonder if your daily actions actually shape who you are more than your thoughts do? Behavioral theory suggests our observable behaviors—not our inner world—might hold the key to understanding personality, and the implications for therapy are fascinating.

Understanding Behavioral Theory: How Behavior and Personality Connect

When exploring behavioral psychology, we’re examining the relationship between our minds and behaviors. Behavioral theory emphasizes analyzing observable behaviors and how they’re learned and reinforced. The terms behavioral theory, behavioral psychology, and behaviorism are often used interchangeably to describe a single psychological approach: behaviorism. This theory focuses less on traditional talk therapy and more on conditioning to improve behavior and quality of life.

What is behaviorism?

Behavioral theory is a psychological framework used to understand and explain human psychology. While some psychological approaches explore the unconscious or internal aspects of humanity, behaviorism takes a different path.

Behaviorism concentrates on observable, measurable behaviors. As one researcher noted, “behaviorism is a doctrine.” It’s a specific lens through which to view psychology, explaining motivation and behavior through human actions rather than internal processes.

In the behaviorist approach, behaviors are explained through actions and consequences rather than internal motivations. For example, behaviorists might view addictive behavior as a system of pleasure and reward rather than attributing it to past trauma or insecurity. Similarly, anxiety might be considered a learned behavior instead of a response to previous traumatic experiences or belief systems.

How behaviorism shapes our understanding of personality and will

Behaviorists don’t see personality as something intrinsic or predetermined. Instead, they view personality as a collection of behaviors influenced by external factors like rewards, punishments, and examples.

According to this perspective, personality develops from our surroundings—culture, social conditions, and upbringing—rather than from some foundational inner self that’s merely influenced by external factors. Behaviorists often view children as “blank slates” who gradually develop distinct personalities through their experiences.

Will and motivation are also externally influenced in behavioral theory. This approach suggests that will, personality, and motivations are shaped by a person’s behavior and the behaviors of those around them. Just as personality may be created through external influences, will and motivation develop according to surroundings. Using this theory, we might expect children’s behaviors to resemble those of family members or close friends, as personalities and ideas are shaped by environment rather than being innate.

Finding balance in psychological approaches

Behavioral theories might seem dogmatic in their approach. Some consider behaviorism a “doctrine” for approaching mental health, with less focus on internal work and more emphasis on external motivation to explore, alter, and improve behaviors.

This approach represents one side of the psychological coin, not a middle ground. With behaviorism, therapists and their clients aren’t bound to theories that cite childhood or unresolved issues as the primary reasons for behaviors. However, this approach might also overlook trauma disorders during treatment.

Many psychologists borrow concepts from behavioral theory and apply them within a balanced, person-focused approach to mental health. These practitioners often use both external and internal motivation practices simultaneously to diagnose and treat their clients.

Is behaviorism effective?

Though this psychological approach may seem rigid, it offers practical applications that some individuals find helpful. Behaviorism might particularly benefit people with certain personalities and specific belief systems.

For those who reject notions of spirituality or anything not readily observable, behaviorism can provide a framework that doesn’t require discounting previously held ideas to engage in effective therapy.

Behaviorism has made valuable contributions to psychology. Many practitioners acknowledge that external motivators and influences are important factors when evaluating a client and determining the source of their difficulties, prognosis, and treatment plan.

For some individuals, external motivators significantly contribute to the development of personality or mood disorders. For others, internal issues are more significant. For many, contributing factors are both internal and external, suggesting that a multi-layered approach may be most effective for treating mental health symptoms.

For example, someone with childhood trauma who struggles with angry outbursts might benefit from discussing their inner thoughts and feelings while also learning new coping mechanisms to improve their behavior. This integrated approach is often called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Behavioral psychology’s evolution

In its early days, behaviorism was controversial because it directly contradicted theories from Freud and similar psychoanalysts who emphasized internal mechanisms as the primary drivers of psychological motivations. As a newcomer with revolutionary ideas, behaviorism gained credibility through its ability to demonstrate its principles with observable traits and behaviors rather than relying solely on subjective experiences.

Behaviorism continues to have both strong critics and supporters. Some find it too restrictive in its views on personality and motivation. Many people believe firmly in nature over nurture, or in some combination of the two, while behaviorism focuses primarily on nurture. Behaviorists often hold that all behaviors and modifications develop from environmental factors.

This belief can make psychological intervention more targeted, potentially producing quicker tangible results compared to internally focused psychology systems that may rely more on client self-reporting to determine effectiveness.

However, non-behavioral therapies can also produce measurable results. Many studies demonstrate the efficacy of emotion and inner-focused therapies such as compassion-based therapy and EMDR.

Behaviorism in practice

Behavioral approaches typically rely on learning theory rather than trauma or talk-based treatment. Behavioral interventions often create tangible changes in clients’ lives and focus more on changing external behaviors than internal processes.

Classical conditioning

Classical conditioning is one technique from behaviorism. While not frequently used in therapeutic settings, it’s common in marketing campaigns.

Classical conditioning uses existing reactions and responses to encourage particular behaviors. Marketers often employ this by featuring attractive models to sell unrelated products. Since attraction is associated with pleasure, pairing a product with an attractive model may create a sense of pleasure when using or purchasing that item.

Operant conditioning

Operant conditioning is another behavioral technique that involves identifying rewards for specific behaviors and delivering those rewards when the desired behavior occurs. Many people use this approach daily when working with children, colleagues, or challenging peers.

For instance, children might be promised a reward for good behavior, or a difficult colleague might be offered an early departure in exchange for taking on additional responsibility.

Behaviorism, psychology, and personality development

While some aspects of behaviorism may seem too rigid for clinical settings, others can be tremendously helpful in treating certain mental health conditions. Behavioral therapy may particularly benefit those with compulsive behaviors.

Replacing the natural consequences of a compulsion with healthier alternatives can help alleviate symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

For other conditions, behaviorism might be less suitable. Conditions like depression or trauma disorders aren’t necessarily based on systems of reward or consequence and may require different approaches.

In behavioral theory, personality development is directly tied to behaviorist principles. Without external factors to shape actions, beliefs, and motivations, behaviorists suggest we would be blank slates with no intrinsic characteristics. This perspective implies that people may not be as inherently unique as commonly believed.

Behaviorism views children as products of their parents’ belief systems or those closest to them. These beliefs may have been shaped by their parents’ parents, and so on. This theory distinguishes between personalities, belief systems, and ideas attributable to society and relevant conditioning.

Should I work with a therapist to change my behavior?

For behaviors that don’t significantly impact your quality of life but you’d like to change, simple behavior modification techniques might work. For example, you might reward yourself with a coffee after completing a challenging task.

However, serious behaviors like substance use, compulsions, or anger issues may warrant working with a therapist who specializes in behavioral therapy. A qualified professional can help you understand how your behaviors influence your emotional responses and vice versa.

Behavioral therapy can be effectively delivered through telehealth services. A recent study found that young participants (ages 9-17) diagnosed with type one diabetes mellitus who received online behavioral treatment were able to better control their glycemic levels by adhering to their diabetes management regimen.

If you’re hesitant about exploring underlying reasons for your behavior, know that talk therapy isn’t your only option. You can connect with a therapist who practices behavioral therapy or CBT through ReachLink’s telehealth platform. These professionals can teach you behavior modification techniques to practice at home.

Takeaway

Behavioral therapy may not resonate with everyone, while others find it an effective alternative to talk therapy or emotion-based treatment. Whatever approach you’re interested in exploring, consider reaching out to a ReachLink counselor for support. Remember, you’re not alone in your journey toward better mental health.