Abstract
Behavioural theory is both an overall theory and an experimentally based attempt to describe the principles and laws by which human behaviour is learned. The main emphasis is on the large part played by chance environmental emergencies in the acquisition and continuation of certain forms of behaviour. In its most basic form the behavioural model states that human actions derive from two main factors: biological forces such as hunger and sex drive, and the learning history of the individual. Although concepts such as mind and free will are not recognised a growing distinction is made between stimulus-response approaches and approaches that allow for cognitive mediating variables. The former is more deterministic than the latter.