Outline - Social Issue as the Behaviorist Sees It Synthesis is the process of creating a new idea by analyzing multiple disparate concepts or notions to discern the common thematic or connecting prin
College of Doctoral Studies
PSY -803 Template: Outline for Social Issues Paper
Introduction and Background
Attention grabber: How do behaviorists view discrimination/prejudice?
Behaviorism refers to an organized approach to comprehending the behavior of people as well as that of other animals. Behaviorism provides crucial solutions to the problem of discrimination which has significantly affected human interactions. Behavior theorists hold that all behaviors are learned through one’s interactions with the environment (Commons, 2001). Through behaviorism, it will be outlined whether discrimination is a human behavior that has been learned through interactions with the environment. Behavior was established by John Watson in 1913 where he discussed methodological behaviorism. B.F Skinner later came up with radical behaviorism which was an extension of Watson's work. Another behaviorist theorist who made significant contributions is Ivan Pavlov through his studies in classical conditioning (Barrett, 2019).
Thesis Statement: The paper aims to give a behaviorist view on the issue of discrimination and come up with solutions to address it.
Statement of the Problem
(a)It is not known how discrimination/prejudice affects daily life .
(b) Brief Background of the Problem
Discrimination is a problem that has been there since time immemorial. Discrimination became very common during the period of colonization and slave trade, where some races felt that they were better than others (Quinn, 2017). Discrimination has been influenced by factors such as cultural differences, gender, religion, and ethnicity. The rules have been made available to address the problem of discrimination, but it has not been fully eradicated (Quinn, 2017). Giving a behaviorist view of the issue of discrimination can play a significant role in addressing it fully .
Behavioral Analysis of the Problem
How behaviorist theorists would address the problem of discrimination .
Analyzing the issue of discrimination based on methodological behaviorism theory.
Analyzing the issue of discrimination based on radical behaviorism theory.
Analysis of the problem based on classical conditioning theory.
Behavioral Solutions
Discuss solutions behaviorism can offer.
How behaviorism theories can be used to address the issue of discrimination (Murtonen, Gruber & Lehtinen, 2017).
How human behaviors can be influenced by behaviorism studies to eliminate discrimination.
Limitations of the Behavioral Solution (Malone, 2004 ).
Discuss limitations present in a behavioral interpretation and solution of this problem
The experiments conducted have low validity of ecology
It ignores biology
It ignores the process of meditation
It is reductionist
Propose means to resolve those limitations (Malone, 2004).
Experiments on humans should be conducted
More experiments should be conducted to validate the theories
The subjects in the studies should be given more free-will
The studies should include meditation processes
Conclusion
Summary of the key takes away from methodological behaviorism theory, radical behaviorism theory, and classical conditioning theory.
Reinstating the thesis statement
Conclude the current literature as a single unit.
The key message from the paper
References
Barrett, L. (2019). Enactivism, pragmatism…behaviorism?. Philosophical Studies, 176(3), 807- 818. doi: 10.1007/s11098-018-01231-7
Commons, M. (2001). Behaviorism Resurrected. Contemporary Psychology, 46(4), 348-351. DOI: 10.1037/002440.
Malone, J. (2004). MODERN MOLAR BEHAVIORISM AND THEORETICAL BEHAVIORISM: RELIGION AND SCIENCE. Journal Of The Experimental Analysis Of Behavior, 82(1), 95-102. DOI: 10.1901/jeab.2004.82-95
Murtonen, M., Gruber, H., & Lehtinen, E. (2017). The return of behaviorist epistemology: A review of learning outcomes studies. Educational Research Review, 22, 114-128.
Quinn, P. (2017). Book review: Discrimination as Stigma: A Theory of Anti-discrimination Law. International Journal Of Discrimination And The Law, 17(3), 213-216. DOI: 10.1177/1358229117728621
Kelly,
Thank you so much for your efforts on this Annotated Bibliography and Outline. In your paper due on Wednesday, I will be looking for a few very specific things:
Introduction
Attention grabbing hook (first 1-3 sentences)
Context of current social problem described with academic support (3-8 sentences). The clear definition of the social issue at hand should be contained within this context.
Clear thesis statement identifying the social problem and the theory/theorist that will be utilized to analyze this issue.
Body of Paper
Provide a Problem Statement and brief background of the problem (one paragraph).
Three clear common themes (e.g., Behavioral Analysis of the Problem, Behavioral Solutions, and Limitations to the Behavioral Solutions) that should be discussed/evaluated through the perspective of behaviorial theorists/theories. An APA style subheading should be utilized to organize content written for a given theme.
At least 3different academic sources supporting the evaluation of each theme (i.e., 3 sources per theme, some may overlap, but at least 7 used in total). This should require you to locate academic sources (e.g., peer reviewed articles, edited chapters) that discuss your social issue.
An actual analysis/application of a theories/theorists to a given social issue. Be organized in your paragraphs (i.e., use topic sentences and transitional sentences, center paragraph around a specific idea/subtheme), define relevant terminology, include concrete examples when useful, make direct connections between the theories/theorists and aspects of the social problem, be detailed, and avoid the first- and second person perspective).
Conclusion
Include an overarching topic sentence.
Summarize the key take-aways from your three themes (i.e., 1-2 sentences per theme), using in-text citations when appropriate.
Circle back to your thesis statement by rewording it in a novel way, this will help bring your paper full circle.
Include a suggestion for a potential future study that might be warranted given the content within your paper.
Please feel free to use the content above as a guide for future annotated bibliography/outlines and synthesis papers. Let me know if you have any other pressing questions regarding your upcoming paper, as I am happy to assist you.
Thanks,
Dr. Oates