What are your thoughts about the differences between Sigmund Freud's theory of behavior vs that of B.F Skinner

Question

Is human behavior controlled by unconscious thoughts and desires or is human behavior primarily controlled by the environment?Or do you think its a combination of both?

Answer 1

Both are full of shlt, which is to say themselves. Neither could possibly relate to a human being in a way that could help. Their theories are useless, lack compassion and will inevitably make a hurting person hurt more.

Freud didn't have bad intentions. He was just so concerned with aggrandizing himself that he created a monster. Skinner did have bad intentions. He wanted to reduce all human behavior to conditioning that he and his disciples could control.

It's tragic that people needing understanding could wind up in the hands of people that have learned these theories.

Answer 2

It's definately a combination. Freud was ahead of his time, for his time. He's outdated now (Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar). Skinner has shown that you can manipulate animal or human behavior. But, you can't always predict the outcome of the same stimlui to different subjects. To keep it simple. If someone beats a dog, it will make him mean, or very afraid of people depending on the dog. (I've rescued both, so I know what I'm talking about). I currently have a one-eyed Ger Shep mix----aggressive, & a very meek, friendly pit bull.

Answer 3

I am a Skinner behaviorist so take that into consideration, a little grain of salt. But I think that it is environment that controls behavior well above bio factors, (or unconscious thoughts). Twin studies aside (I have major problems with the methodology of those studies) I think people are the society they are in. In general.
B

Answer 4

If there's one thing i learned during my five years of studying psychology, is that there's never a strait answer to that question. You're always dealing with - nature and nurture. About Freud's theory.. I think every psychologist agrees with me when i say that, although Freud contributed a whole lot to the development of studying the Psyche.. his theories are not applicable at all!

Answer 5

skinner saw how triggers could spark a response.
Freud sought to understnd what and how the trigger work on an unconcious level.

Answer 6

I believe it's definitely a combination. We bring our past experiences, beliefs, and our cognitive abilities to an experience; however, the experience does affect our behaviour and our cognition as well.

Answer 7

True. Erikson was a Neo-Freudian.