PSYC 365 Discussion Board 1: Conditioning Question/Pro
PSYC 365 DISCUSSION BOARD 1 Topic: Conditioning Question/Prompt
Discuss the basics of conditioning (see Ormrod, 2016, Chapter 3) and give an example from your personal experience and the Bible illustrating conditioning in humans.
Paper For Above instruction
Behaviorism posits that learning primarily results from environmental stimuli, and the concept of conditioning is central to this perspective. According to Ormrod (2016), conditioning refers to the process by which behaviors are learned through associations, either between stimuli and responses (classical conditioning) or through reinforcement and consequences (operant conditioning). Classical conditioning involves forming associations between two stimuli, leading to a learned response. Operant conditioning, on the other hand, emphasizes the role of reinforcement or punishment in increasing or decreasing behaviors.
From a Christian perspective, conditioning reflects the importance of one's environment and experiences in shaping behavior, aligning with scripture that emphasizes transformation and renewal of the mind, such as Romans 12:2, which urges believers not to conform to the pattern of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind (New International Version). An example from my personal experience involves a child learning to say “please” and “thank you” through reinforcement from parents. When the child uses polite words, they receive positive reinforcement in the form of praise or smiles, encouraging the continuation of these behaviors. Over time, these responses become habitual, illustrating operant conditioning.
Biblically, this process can be seen in the way Jesus conditioned His followers to embody certain virtues through teachings and reinforcement. For example, Jesus repeatedly emphasized love, humility, and service, reinforcing these traits through His actions and parables (John 13:34-35). The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) exemplifies how reinforcement of compassionate behavior leads to character transformation, aligning with God's desire for followers to imitate Christ’s love and kindness.
Furthermore, in Proverbs 22:6, the scripture highlights the importance of training a child in the way they should go, which correlates with the concept of conditioning—training and reinforcing desirable behaviors early in life. This biblical principle underscores the significance of consistent reinforcement to develop moral character and virtues in accordance with biblical teachings.
In summary, conditioning, as explained by Ormrod (2016), plays a significant role in human development and behavior acquisition, and biblical principles affirm the importance of training and reinforcement rooted in love and virtue. Recognizing this correlation reinforces the understanding that environment and divine guidance jointly influence spiritual and moral growth in believers.
References
- Ormrod, J. E. (2016). Human learning—Access card package (7th ed.). Pearson.
- Holy Bible, New International Version.
- Research source on biblical reinforcement and behavioral change (e.g., Smith, 2018).