University of Central Florida (UCF) DEP2004 Developmental Psychology Practice Test 1

The theory that emphasizes learning through environment and social interaction is behaviorism. Behaviorism focuses on observable behaviors and the ways they are shaped by the environment. According to this perspective, learning occurs as individuals interact with their surroundings and respond to various stimuli. Key figures in behaviorism, such as B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson, posited that behaviors can be conditioned through reinforcement and punishment, illustrating how environmental factors play a critical role in shaping behavior.

While the learning theory broadly encompasses various aspects of learning, behaviorism specifically zeroes in on how environmental influences and social interactions lead to the acquisition of behaviors. It does this by focusing on the processes of learning that occur as a direct response to external stimuli, rather than internal thoughts or feelings, which are not as emphasized in behaviorism.

Other theories like biopsychological theory and psychoanalytical theory prioritize different aspects of development, with the former focusing on biological influences and the latter on internal psychological processes. Thus, behaviorism stands out as the theory that fundamentally aligns with the concept of learning as a product of environmental and social interactions.