Page 25 - Biblical Counseling II-Textbook

has been raised. Steven - he has been rewarded for being outgoing. Rewards could be something as
simple as smiles from adults.)

“Proposition 3: Human behavior and personality are the cumulative result of learned associations and
reinforcements. For example, 16-year-old Stacy is known for her friendly personality and wonderful
sense of humor. Behaviorists would suggest that these qualities are present because of the positive
attention she gains from them. Since her laughter generates positive responses in others, a kind of
reward, she continues the behavior until it becomes so much a part of her as to be a habit” (p. 168).

“Proposition 4: Children learn new behaviors and personality patterns through modeling and
behavior. For example, a child who watches her mother prepare a dinner for a new widow learns
generosity and Christlike service. Similarly, a child who observes parents using violent means to solve
problems will likely learn the same solutions. Parents are not only role models. Television, teachers,
siblings, peers, sports, and celebrities all provide examples from whom behavior can be learned” (p.
169).

What do you think of the behavioral approach to personality? Think again about your personality traits.
Which ones do you think you learned as you grew? Were you punished for certain personality traits? If
our two-year-old Joshua was punished when he was shy, would he learn to not be shy? What if Joshua is
raised by shy, timid parents? Would he then become shy and timid?

You can see how the biological approach and behavioral approach have pieces that make sense and we
can see their theories in our own lives. However, when both biology and behavior are studied, we gain
the most knowledge about how our personalities are formed and continue to develop. We know our
personality was given to us when God created us in His image. Our personalities have continued to
develop as we’ve been influenced by the world around us. As you train to become pastors and counsel
those in your life, think about how Jesus helped those around him by modeling behavior that impacted
others.

“Many passages in Scripture point to the importance of observational learning. In Luke 6:40, Jesus
stated that ‘a student. . . who is fully trained will be like his teacher.’ John cautions us to be careful who
we emulate (3 John 11). In his daily relationship with His disciples, Jesus modeled servanthood as He
healed the sick and cared for the lowly. His most powerful lesson in this regard came not in the
preaching of a message, but in the demonstration of servanthood when He washed His disciples’ feet
(John 13). Understanding the power of role modeling, Peter told pastors that they should not be
authoritarian rulers, but should be examples worthy of imitation by those under their authority (1 Peter
5:3). These and other passages exhort us not just to profess faith, but to live it and demonstrate Christ’s
power at work within us (James 2:14-26). Why? Because modeling is a valid and effective means of
affecting the lives of others” (Shields & Bredfeldt, p. 178, 2001).

Human Freedom, Dignity, and Worth
“One of the impressive things about Jesus is the dignity, freedom, and value He gives to people He did
not force or cajole His disciples to follow Him. He did not manipulate them with rewards and
reinforcement. He was not focused on modifying their behavior. He gave people the freedom to make
their own decisions and afforded them the dignity of personal choice. On occasion He gave people the
freedom to walk away from him in unbelief. He wasn’t interested in commitments that came only when
the water was being turned to wine or the miracles were numerous. No, He sought disciples who would
sacrificially follow even to death with no immediate reinforcements in sight. Jesus knew that changing

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