Applying the Theory of Operant Conditioning of...

The case study of Tumi will be analysed in terms of the theory of Operant Conditioning of Behaviourism and the Socio-Cultural perspective. Namely, the theories of Matsumoto in terms of the Socio-Cultural perspective and Skinner’s theories of Operant Conditioning in terms of the Behaviourist perspective (Santrock, J; 2007). Tumi has recently experienced a few traumatic events: Her maternal aunt recently passed away, her belongings had been stolen from her flat after a break-in, she failed her mid-year exams and her relationship with her boyfriend has reached an unstable point. These events have triggered severe headaches, dizzy spells accompanied by fainting, visions and hearings of her deceased grandmother and thoughts about her mother and sister conspiring against her. This was explained following her complaint about â€Å"I feel as if I’m going crazy†. Most of Tumi’s youth was spent in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal where she grew up observing and following traditional Zulu Witchcraft practices by Sangoma’s and Inyanga’s – Spiritual Shamans who aid people through the wisdom of the ancestors and through the use of herbal remedies. Much of these practices involve achieving trance-like states to communicate with the ancestors. This Socio-Cultural background, specifically with reference to Thwasa – the name given to the process whereby one who is being called by the ancestors becomes sick and typically begins to suffer from severe headaches and psychosis – could be the main influence on