What do behaviorists expect concerning an individual's response tendencies over time?

Behaviorists posit that an individual’s response tendencies are shaped and adjusted through their experiences. This approach emphasizes the role of environmental influences on behavior, suggesting that as people encounter new situations and stimuli, they adapt their responses accordingly. The idea is rooted in the learning principles established by behaviorism, which holds that behaviors are not fixed but rather dynamic and subject to change based on interactions with the environment.

In this context, the expectation is that through reinforcement, punishment, and various learning experiences, an individual will refine their behaviors and develop new response patterns over time. This adaptability is a fundamental concept in behaviorism, highlighting how learning and experience fundamentally shape an individual’s behavior.