Theoretical Framework
Behaviorism
Behaviorism developed at the turn of the 20th
century as an approach to learning that revolves around the science of
behavior. Theorists view the learner as a tabula rasa, generally without any
mental internalization or introspection (with exceptions). From that point, the
learner can be influenced by his environment (referred to as a
"stimulus") on which he reacts (referred to as the
"response") and which in turn instigates another reaction (in
Skinnerism, referred to as "reinforcement").
Key
Concepts
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Functional attitude theory (FAT) suggests
that beliefs and attitudes are influential to
various psychological functions. Attitudes can be influential on many processes
such as being utilitarian (useful), social,
relating to values, or a reduction of cognitive dissonance. They can be
beneficial and help people interact with the world. In the late 1950s
when psychoanalysis and behaviorism reigned supreme as the
foci of psychological studies, Smith, Bruner, and White (1956)[1] and Katz (1960) [2] separately and
independently developed typologies of human attitudes in relation to the
functions to which they believed the attitudes served.[3] This theory proposes
that attitudes are held by individuals because they are important and integral
to psychological functioning. The function of an attitude is more important
than whether the attitude is accurate or correct.
