According to behaviorist theory, personality is shaped primarily by which of the following?

Behaviorist theory posits that personality is mainly developed through interactions with the environment, particularly through mechanisms of reinforcement and punishment. This perspective emphasizes that behaviors are learned and maintained based on their consequences: behaviors that are rewarded tend to be repeated, while those that are punished are less likely to occur again.

In the context of personality, this means that individual differences can be understood as a result of unique patterns of reinforcement and punishment experienced throughout life. For instance, if a child receives praise for certain behaviors, those behaviors may become a part of their personality as they seek to repeat actions that led to positive outcomes. Conversely, if behaviors lead to negative consequences, individuals may avoid those behaviors, which also shapes their personality over time.

This approach distinctly focuses on observable behaviors and dismisses internal processes such as thoughts or unconscious conflicts, which are emphasized in other psychological theories. Therefore, understanding personality through the lens of reinforcement and punishment aligns with the fundamental principles of behaviorist theory.