Human Behavior

One of the problems with strict behavioral theory is that it very much ignores the 'human variable'. When we reduce things strictly to stimulus and response, we can easily forget that there are human feelings, thoughts, and cognitions that are involved in the expression of a behavior as well. In the case of Roger a behaviorist will take everything at face value. If Roger comes in and says he is having trouble studying, it is …

…to have problems. A behaviorist might be able to change, add or subtract a stimulus to alter a behavior, but only a cognitive therapist or other type of therapist would be capable of giving a client his own tools to deal with stimuli which are out of his or her control. Behaviorism is a theory, which I feel, requires excessive outside maintenance, and teaches little to a client that they can use to help themselves.