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Developmental theories usually focus on describing and explaining the changes that occur in individuals as they grow and progress across the developmental stages of life (Mercer, 2018). These theories focus on various developmental aspects that include cognitive, emotional, and social growth (Hopkins, Geangu & Linkenauger, 2017). 

   Behavioral theory is one of the major development theories that focus on explaining how the environmental factors and interactions affect or influence a person’s behavior (Johnson & Vanderhoef, 2016). As such, the behavioral theory focuses mainly on observable behaviors and how experience contributes to and shapes an individual’s behavior. According to this theory, development is essentially a reaction to stimuli, rewards, reinforcement, and punishments (Mercer, 2018). 

   Behavioral theory indicates that individuals usually learn and acquire their behaviors through their interactions with the environment. Among the main types of learning that are associated with behavioral theory include operant conditioning as well as classical conditioning (Sadock, Sadock & Ruiz, 2014). For instance, classical conditioning is essentially a type of learning process that involves matching a conditioned response with a particular stimulus that leads to the development of a certain behavior (Mercer, 2018). On the other hand, operant conditioning involves the utilization of punishments, rewards, and reinforcements in behavior modification (Mercer, 2018). 

   According to this theory, children are born with a blank mind and environmental factors play a major part in influencing and shaping their behavior. This theory focuses mainly on the reinforcement of appropriate behavior through the use of reinforcements (positive and negative) and rewards and the elimination of inappropriate behavior using punishments (Mercer, 2018). For instance, most of the parents use rewards and positive reinforcements when toilet training their children, which leads to the acquisition of desirable behavior. According to this theory, individuals usually, acquire and develop specific behaviors through various learning processes that include imitation, social facilitation, modeling, identification, contagion, and copying (Mercer, 2018). Therefore, the interaction or exposure of a child to inappropriate behaviors may lead to the adoption and development of inappropriate or maladaptive behaviors. According to this theory, some of the developmental vulnerabilities that might precipitate the development of mental health symptoms include interruptions in the learning process, peer influences, and exposure to inappropriate behaviors or environmental stressors (Pandya et al., 2012).

 References

Hopkins, B., Geangu, E., & Linkenauger, S. (Eds.). (2017). The Cambridge encyclopedia of child development. Cambridge University Press.

Johnson, K., & Vanderhoef, D. (2016). Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Review and Resource Manual (4th ed.). Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Mercer, J. A. (2018). Child development: concepts and theories. SAGE.

Pandya, M., Altinay, M., Malone, D. A., Jr., & Anand, A. (2012). Where in the Brain Is Depression? Current Psychiatry Reports, 14(6), 634-642.

Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2014). Synopsis of Psychiatry (11th ed.). London, England: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins.