Behaviorist Theories

In contrast to psychodynamic theories, the behaviorist theories pioneered
by John B. Watson and B. F. Skinner hold that development is a continuous
process, without discrete stages, and that the developing child passively acquires
and reflects knowledge. For behaviorists, development results from
nurture, from experience and learning, rather than from nature. The most
important extant behaviorist theory is the social learning theory of Albert
Bandura, which holds that children learn by watching others around them
and imitating others’ actions. For example, Bandura demonstrated that
children were far more inclined to commit violent acts (toward a toy) if
someone else, particularly an adult, committed the acts first. The children
were especially disposed to imitate if they perceived the acting individual as
powerful or as rewarded for his or her violent actions.