Personality Theories of Skinner, Dollard, and Miller: Psychology Essay

This essay offers a comprehensive literature review of prominent personality theories, focusing on the contributions of B.F. Skinner, John Dollard, and Neal Miller. It explores the core tenets of these theories, emphasizing how individual behaviors are shaped by environmental factors and consequences. The essay delves into the comparison and contrast of these theories, highlighting their similarities and differences in explaining human behavior. It examines the major principles associated with each theory, such as operant conditioning and the frustration-aggression hypothesis, and traces the historical context of their development. Furthermore, the essay discusses the evolution of personality across the lifespan, considering gender and environmental influences. The paper concludes by underscoring the significance of these theories as cornerstones for assessing and understanding human behavior, offering valuable insights for psychologists and counselors in their assessment of psychological issues.

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGY
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Abstract:
The purpose of the paper is to provide a literature review on major theories of the
personality such as personality theory of skinner, dollar and miller. The major theories of
personality by suggested that the behaviours of the individuals are unique in nature and these
behaviours constructive result of different factors that individuals experience over their life
span. Hence, the paper developed a literature review based on different aspects of
behavioural theory. The paper consists of different personality theories, compare and contrast
of these theories, major principles associated with personality theory, the historical context of
personality theory development, and development of personality across the lifespan and
gender and environmental influences. Lastly, the paper provided that a concise conclusion
where the paper occluded that these major personality theories are the cornerstone of
assessing behaviour of the individuals. Hence, these two provide a direction to the
psychology in assessment of human behaviour.

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Introduction:
Behaviour is referred to as a range of activities and mechanisms made by individuals
and organisms in conjunction with their thinking and their environment (van et al., 2016).
Behaviourism is a psychological approach which emphasizes on the observable stimulus
responses and states that all behaviours that are exhibited by the animal and humans generally
learned through their interaction with the environment (Ayoub et al., 2018). Considering the
perspective of the behaviour informatics, it can be said that behaviour composes of behaviour
actor, interactions and operation and their associated properties (González-Forero & Gardner,
2018). Considering human behaviour, human behaviour is generally influenced by the
endocrine system as well as the nervous system, indicating that organisms possessing more
complex nervous systems in their body to have a greater ability to learn new
responses according to the stimuli and adjust their behaviour according to it (Berry & Dasen,
2019). On the other hand, considering the behaviour of animal ethnologists suggested that
the animal behaviour usually focused on behaviour under natural conditions, and in this case,
the behaviour of the animals are portrait as an evolutionarily adaptive trait (Masterton, Hodos
& Jerison, 2019). This paper will illustrate literature view of different personality theories,
compare and contrast them, major principles associated with personality theory, the historical
context of personality theory development, development of personality across the lifespan
and gender and environmental influences.
Discussion:
Over the years, different personality theories developed by the famous figures like B.
F. Skinner, Erik Erikson and dollar and Wilson that describe the concept of personality
(Zeiler & Thompson, 2016). These theories suggested that the behaviour of the individuals
are the constructive result of different factors that individuals experience over their life

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span. In the recent era, these theories are used by the counsellors and psychologist to analyse
the behaviour of the individuals who are experiencing psychological issues. Skinner’s
personality theory eventually evolved into the modern study of behaviour analysis of
individuals (Cassidy & Kurti, 2018). John Dollard and Neal Miller’s attempt to reconcile
behaviourism as well as psychoanalysis (Mcleod, 2019).
Major theories of personality:
Considering skinner’s theory, Skinner suggested that human behaviour is greatly
shaped by a diversity of consequences. These consequences may be administered by another
person such as parent, teachers, and peers, or naturally occurring (Mcleod, 2019).
Consequently, the behaviour are the consequences of the response of the individual’s to the
event or stimuli that are occurring in the environment. DeSouza, Akers, and Fisher, (2017)
conducted a systematic review from the electronic journal such as ERIC, and
PsycINFO databases to obtain peer-reviewed journal. The researchers aimed to review
empirical Skinner’s Verbal Behaviour to Interventions for Children with Autism. The review
suggested that each verbal operant is maintained by different consequences and antecedents
and the establishment of one verbal response not occasionally stimulate other similar verbal
responses. Hence, in this case, researchers suggested that in the case of the children with
autism, it is crucial to establish independently in the child’s repertoire. A trainer of speech
therapy is required to recruit for facilitating the research.
Considering Dollard and Miller’ theory of personality, they hypothesized the idea of
stimulus generalization in individuals, or the grouping of similar stimuli together. In other
words, it means that a behavioural response that occurs in one situation will be the same
when an individual will encounter similar situations. Frustration and aggression are the
responses of these stimuli. Rodriguez, Smith, and Silvia (2016) conducted a randomized

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controlled trial by recruiting eighty children as well as adolescents with high levels of
aggression across multiple traditional diagnostic categories, ages 8–16. The result of the
research suggested that altering the key nodes of the emotion regulation is associated with a
decline of reactive aggression. In other words, it can be said that individual will not show
aggression towards stimuli due to the fear of punishment but eventually shows it.
Compare and contrast major theory:
The major similarity between the two theories is that both of the theories
hypothesized that the behaviour of the individuals is the result of the consequences
(Oer2go.org, 2019). Each consequence will further shape the future likelihood of the
behaviour of the individuals. However, despite the similarities present in these two theories,
these two theoretical approaches are different in their approach.
Considering skinner’s theory, it is based on the hypothesis that human behaviour is
determined by consequences such as the consequences can be reinforcements or punishments.
Consequently, these consequences determine whether the behaviour will be conducted or
not by the same individuals (Oer2go.org, 2019). Compared to the skinner’s theory, dollar and
miller theory are based on similar stimuli, but here researchers hypothesized that individuals
who are not able to respond to the original stimulus present in the environment will respond
to the most similar available stimulus in the environment (Gilbert & Bushman, 2017). If
there is unexpected interference is observed with a goal-directed response corresponding to
the stimuli of the environment, is always the major cause of aggression (Oer2go.org, 2019).
Consequently, more frustration is present in the individual, the same individual will show a
greater degree of aggression.

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Major principles of personal theory:
Considering the major principle of skinner’s theory, the behaviour of the individuals
is a response followed by reinforcement, then it can be predicted that the behaviour
is more likely to be repeated. However, if the behaviour is a response to the punishment, the
behaviours is less likely to be repeated in the individuals (Oer2go.org, 2019). Dixon et al.
(2016), conducted randomized control trial on the three 10-year-old boys who were
diagnosed with autism where researchers implemented a differential reinforcement
procedure for three children which can display show and tell behaviour of the children. The
result suggested the reinforcement facilities the repeated behaviour in children, indicating that
it can be used as an effective method for teaching children with complex verbal behaviour.
Considering the major principle of dollar and miller theory, the basic principle is
certain stimuli present in the environment is serve as cues for gaining the understanding
that whether the behaviour will occur again or not as individuals will provide a similar
response to the similar stimuli available in the environment (Www.oercommons.org,
2019). Frustration is the result of such stimuli exhibited by the individuals and these stimuli’s
are crucial for developing self-control in individuals (Tedesco & Patterson, 2015). Hepditch
and Vaillancourt (2018), conducted an experimental study to draw links between language
such as receptive as well as expressive vocabulary, working memory, and preschool
aggression. The result of the study suggested that preschool aggression is a response observed
in the child because of the certain cues and they are simultaneously subjected to a similar
kind of situation. Consequently, they exhibit a similar kind of behaviour in response to
similar stimuli. Moreover, researchers also suggested that these aggressive responses’ are
denoted as the developmental advantages rather than deficits.

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Understand the historical context of personality theory development:
While psychodynamic theories are mainly developed in Europe, American
psychologists were greater under the influence of the concept of behaviourism, where B.
Watson is considered as the father behaviours. Other theorists simultaneously observe the
developmental of the behaviour of human, the direction of analysis of human and animal
behaviour was changed by B. F. Skinner who proposed personality theory based on the cause
and effect of the behaviour of humans and animals (Www.oercommons.org, 2019). In order
to evaluate the effect of reinforcement and punishment on the behaviour, he experimented in
1957 on lab rats and domestic pigeons (Mcleod, 2019). When rat pressed the level, then food
was released. Consequently, from this experiment the rat learned the association between the
lever and food where lever act as a reinforcement and hence the rat began to spend more time
in the box, gathering food than performing any other action (Mcleod, 2019). From this
experiment, skinner concluded that the rate of the response by the individual along with
changes of the response high relied on what will occur after the response was
performed. Hence, he developed the theory which is now known as an operant condition.
Considering dollar miller theory of frustration and aggression, the frustration-
aggression hypothesis emerged in 1939 by John Dollard and Neal Miller where John dollar
and Neal miller theorized the concept of similar kind of behaviour in individuals, inspired by
the concept of hull’s drive and habit (Www.oercommons.org, 2019). The theorist conducted
an observational study for gaining the understanding of the behaviour and suggested that
drive can be positive and negative stimuli and depending on the type individuals
respond. The alteration of the known stimuli leads to frustration (Www.oercommons.org,
2019).

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Current trends of the personality theories:
In the current era, skinner’s theory of operant condition is now used in the classrooms
for encouraging good and wanting behaviour in children with the help of positive
reinforcement. Dixon et al. (2016), conducted an experimental study where researchers’
recruited three male students with intellectual disabilities participated and they undergo the
behaviour analytic program daily while attending the schools. The result of the study
suggested that the if students are subjected to the positive reinforcement improve the
behaviour of the individuals, in this case, the sequential delivery of the rules improves the
transformation of stimulus function of the children and facilitate the positive behavioural
response of the children with disabilities.
Considering the dollar and miller theory, this theory is used in the assessment of the
behaviour of children. It will consequently help to understand whether the children will
develop a good behavior or not. Woltering and Shi (2016) conducted in-depth research on the
children in their late childhood, aged 8 to 12 years to assess their self-regulation where
researchers used dollar and miller’s frustration and aggression hypothesis. The result of the
study suggested that children usually show disruptive behaviours such as anxiety and
aggression if they are exposed to the research variety of stimulus in the environment. These
responses are usually observed due to anxiety and aggression if their goals are usually
blocked. Hence, these stimuli have a greater impact on the cognitive structure of the children.
In this case, the development of the skills of self-regulation in children will facilitate their
behaviours as an adult.
Discussion between history and current trends:
The operant conditioning method is a typical method of learning in the classroom
which that occurs through rewards and punishments for behaviour where with this method,

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individuals, draws an association between their particular behaviour and consequences.
Skinner introduces the Law of Effect – Reinforcement, where behaviours that receive
reinforcement tends to be repeated in the individuals and not reinforced behaviours, tend to
die out. In the current era, this theory is used in the educational curriculum for the
development of positive behaviours. Dixon et al. (2016), highlighted that a simple way of
shaping behaviour is to provide feedback to the children of the class. Initial reinforcement for
the new task tends to enhance the ability of a child perform the task with greater efficacy. On
the other hand, in order to eliminate negative behaviours, the children are usually ignored by
the teacher.
Considering the dollar and Millar theory, specific stimuli present in the environment serve as
cues for the development of frustration and aggression in children. The biology also plays a
crucial role in the cognitive development of the individuals which further influence the
behaviours of the individuals (Www.oercommons.org, 2019). The responses to a certain
stimulus is also a biological factor which can be altered either by altering the cognitive
structure or altering the stimulus. This theory by dollar and miller in the current era, used in
the assessment of criminal and bully behaviours of the children. The schools and paediatric
counsellors used this theory to assess the conflicts of infants with their peer. In the field of
criminology, this theory is used for assessing the criminal action of any individual.
Rodriguez, Smith, and Silvia (2016), conducted an experimental study by incorporating 108
primiparous women and 84 male partners. The researchers suggested that the expected
parents gone through several stages and they are exposed to a level of stimuli. Consequently,
they tend to act on the response that facilitates frustration.

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Development of personality:
Personality development refers to the process of enhancing thinking and behavior
which brings a positive change in life. While each person has a different persona, a
substantial part of the personality developed in individuals due to the stimuli they are exposed
to or experience they gain from the consequences of the behaviours. In each stage of
personality development, personality theory of skinner, Millar and dollar, Considering,
Erikson’s developmental of psychosocial development, in every stage of development, a
child exhibit certain behaviours because of exposure to the stimuli which further become a
cornerstone of their personality. At the age of 18 months, infants are uncertain about their
perception of the world. At this stage, they are exposed to the certain cues which towards
which they react to and their personality develop according to it. If they receive inconsistent
care, they tend to develop a personality of anxiety, frustration. Considering the second stage,
at the age of 3 years, children are more focused on developing skills of self-control, at this
stage if they are exposed to rewards or reinforcement, they develop a great sense of
autonomy, and otherwise if they are exposed to the negative stimuli, they develop a sense of
Shame which further facilitate their development of personality. At the age of 3 to 5 years,
children are exposed to their peers and exposed to stimuli such as encouragement by parents,
children develop a sense of initiative and feel secure in their ability. At the age of 5 years, the
children learn to read and do sums, where teachers play a crucial role. If teachers encourage
the children for the development of positive behaviours, they later develop a personality of
altruism. At the age of o0f 12 to 18, they search a sense of self and personality identity. If
they become more independent, it develops their personality. Any blockage of their goal
leads to the development of aggression and frustration. At this stage, they exposed to the
highest number of stimulus and hence, diversity of personality observed. At the age of 18 to
40 yrs., the individuals exposed to a certain stimulus which further inhibit their goal of

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developing a healthy life. Consequently, they experience frustration and aggression but also
experience intimacy if exposed to the positive stimulus. In the last two-stage, the rate of
exposure to the stimulation is reduced and hence they already develop a personality. In the
last two stages, they develop their personality based on their experience.
Personality theory in the context of gender and environmental influences:
Considering the skinner theory, the behaviours of the individuals is a response
followed by reinforcement, then it can be predicted that the behaviours is more likely to be
repeated. Li and Graham (2017), highlighted that the as female are tend to respond to the
stimuli and exhibit behaviours which was reinforced compared to male. The prime reason
behind this high response of the women includes complex hormonal system and nervous
system. Consequently, the impact of the dollar’s and Millar theory also observed in male.
MAO gene of male is considered as violence gene which further facilitate the frustration and
male are more prone to respond towards the external stimuli that facilitate frustration.
Conclusion:
Thus it can be concluded that the behaviour of the individuals has a great impact on
the development of personality. This paper explored a literature review on major theories of
the personality such as personality theory of skinner, dollar and miller. While one theorist
hypothesized that behaviour is developed by the consequences, another theorist suggested
that behavioural response that occurs in one situation will be the same when an individual
will encounter similar situations. These two theories are used in the current era in the
classroom for the development of the behaviour and bully response in children. Hence these
two theories provide a direction to the psychology in assessment of human behaviour.

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