Page 23 - Advanced Biblical Counseling Student Textbook

paradigm. Evaluate each proposition as you read it for what you know to be true about human
personality:

“Proposition 1: Experience and learning are the primary forces that shape human behavior and
personality. Behaviorists hold that in experiences of daily life, personality qualities are formed, and
habits learned. Whether it is the tendency toward aggression or shyness, whether it be socially desirable
or undesirable behavior, the behaviorist would point to experience and to conditioned and
observational learning as the reasons for these personality markers” (p. 167). (In the case of our two-
year-olds, Behaviorists would say the Joshua and Steven learned these qualities because of the
environment they live in.)

“Proposition 2: Humans are born with a “blank slate” mind that immediately begins to form
associations from worldly sensations. This belief does not allow for free will or conscious decision
making. Instead, each child is seen as a blank slate subject to the conditioning forces in the environment.
Through experiences beginning at the moment of birth, children are believed to establish associations
within the mind between behaviors and various rewards. These associations, become the basis on which
personality is built (p. 168).” (Behaviorists would say timid, shy Joshua is that way because of how he
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,
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siblings, peers, sports, and celebrities all provide examples from whom behavior can be learned.”

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.

30 Ibid., p. 169.

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