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DB Replies: Reply individually to both below, each should be at…
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Reply to Grace
There are two main types of reinforcement: positive and negative. Both forms work to strengthen a specified behavior; however, positive reinforcement introduces a stimulus following the behavioral occurrence, while negative reinforcement removes a stimulus. These stimuli are referred to as either a positive reinforcer or an aversive stimulus. Positive reinforcers are rewards that are found desirable, while aversive stimuli are those that are repelling. However, there are two additional categories to be discussed, social and automatic. “For both positive and negative reinforcement, the behavior may produce a consequence through the actions of another person or through direct contact with the physical environment.” (Miltenberger, 2016). Both social and automatic reinforcement are labeled as either positive or negative, depending on the circumstance. Even though the type of consequence is affected by another person’s actions or through environmental factors, the basic principles differentiating positive and negative reinforcement still apply.
Many examples of positive reinforcement in the Bible are a result of the faithful listening to and obeying God’s instructions. For example, Noah and his family, as well as the animals on the ark, were spared from dying in the flood. God promised Noah that they would be saved if he constructed an ark with a specified set of dimensions and remained there with his family. Because Noah was faithful and obeyed when God spoke to him, he and his family were rewarded. Another example occurs in the New Testament. Unlike some of Jesus’ disciples and followers, Mary Magdalene and other female followers remained with Jesus during his crucifixion, as well as attending his burial. As a result, Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene following his resurrection, a reward for her loyalty.
Negative reinforcement is also present in the Bible. One such example occurs prior to the birth of John the Baptist. While his father Zechariah was a faithful man and believed in what God would tell him, he could not help but express doubt. To prevent Zechariah from spreading this question, he was made mute until the birth of his son, when his ability to speak returned. During this period of silence for Zechariah, he was given the opportunity to see the works of God, which in turn made his faith grow stronger.
Reply to Kathleen
Behavior is defined as a person’s actions, whether that is something they say or do (Miltonberger, R., 2016. p 2). Objects or events, known as stimuli, reinforce a particular behavior to transpire in order to gain, reduce, or prevent that stimulus in future instances (Miltonberger, 2016). According to the textbook, the addition or intensification of a favored stimulus, an immediate consequence of a behavior, that strengthens a behavior is referred to as positive reinforcement. When a behavior strengthens as a result of removing or diminishing the intensity of an aversive stimulus, it is referred to as negative reinforcement (Miltonberger, 2016) In negative reinforcement, immediate consequences of behavior avoid or escape interaction with an aversive stimulus. Whereas avoidant behaviors prevent the occurrence of the aversive stimulus, escape behaviors seek to flee the current contact with the aversive stimulus. When a consequence of behavior comes through another person’s actions it is known as social reinforcement. Behavioral consequences of automatic reinforcements are through the physical environment, rather than another person (Miltonberger, 2016). Environmental reinforcements are versatile in that they could be used as a positive reinforcer or an aversive stimulant to modify behavior.
Examples of effective reinforcement of behavior are found throughout the pages of Scripture. Acts 2 (ESV, 2008) offers an example of behavior modification on a grand scale. After a Holy Spirit-filled Peter delivered a sermon before numerous Pentecost attendees in Jerusalem. He spoke of a person’s response to the Gospel having an eternal consequence – salvation being the positive reinforcer. What the three thousand people who responded to the Gospel that day did not expect was the immediate consequences of their behavior in following Christ. Acts 2:42-47 (ESV, 2008) says their newly modified behavior lead to them devoting “themselves to the apostle’s teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.” The occurrence of signs and wonders; the meeting of practical and basic needs through the actions of others; fellowship and communal living with other believers; and the incurred social favor from those outside of the faith acted as positive reinforcers of the behaviors. So much so that it influenced others to be saved, “adding to their numbers day by day…” (ESV, 2008, Acts 2:47). The behavior modification was effective because the immediacy of the consequences, the consistency in which the consequences occurred. Peter’s sermon that day was an antecedent event. The people were spiritually hungry and thirsty and upon hearing that Christ was the bread of life and the living water, the deprivation made the Gospel more valuable. As their spiritual needs were satiated, their behavior bleed over to their physical and social environments, resulting in further satiation. Things they once found desirable lost their value, thereby abolishing previous behaviors. Though the reinforcers did not cause every person to change, they did have an overwhelming effect on a number of individuals. The voluminous response intensified the efficacy of the Gospel message. Thus, making the early days of the church an instance of grand-scale behavior modification.
