Running head: WORLDVIEW THEORIES
Worldview Theories
Kerrie Hamby
Department of Psychology Liberty University
PSYC 210: Developmental Psychology
Professor Chris Ioimo
May 9, 2020
WORLDVIEW THEORIES 2
Worldview Theories
Individual worldviews are as unique as the individual themselves. When studying the
different theories, we must look at our worldview and how it helps us to interpret and apply those
theories to developmental psychology. This essay will briefly discuss worldviews and
developmental theories. Worldviews will be applied in an examination in order to take a closer
look at theories. In layman terms, worldviews are how the individual sees the world around them
and their basic beliefs. The essay will further look at Operant Conditioning and Skinner. So why
do we study worldviews?
Why Worldview Matters
Worldviews matter because different realities exist for different people. Perhaps
economics, ethics, how one was raised by caretakers, and even denomination of religion has an
impact on worldviews. It is important when studying developmental theories because everyone is
different. We must see the world as others do in order to have empathy, for example. Paul Baltes
tells us that “lifespan developmental psychology involves the study of constancy and change in
behavior throughout the life course (ontogenesis), from conception to death (Dick, Mueller,
2018).”
Operant Developmental Theory
Burrhus Frederic Skinner, an American psychologist and behaviorist, believed that
Classical conditioning was too simplistic to explain the complex human behavior and the best
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way to understand behavior was to look at the causes of an action and its consequences (Mcleod,
2018). Through this belief Skinner developed Operant Conditioning. The book, Christian
Perspectives on Human Development states, “Operant conditioning is defined as a process by
which a behavior or voluntary response is gradually learned via its association with positive or
negative consequences. It was believed by many supporters that behavior would repeat with
reinforcement (Cashion, 2019). Positive reinforcement works by presenting a reinforcing
stimulus to the person after the desired behavior is exhibited, making the behavior more likely to
happen in the future. Negative reinforcement occurs when a certain stimulus (usually an aversive
stimulus) is removed after a behavior is exhibited. The likelihood of the behavior occurring again
in the future is increased because of avoiding the negative consequence. Punishment refer to any
change that occurs after a behavior that reduces the likelihood of the behavior happening again.
While positive and negative reinforcements are used to increase behaviors, punishment is
focused on reducing or eliminating unwanted behaviors. (Cashion, 2019).
Summary and Reflection
My personal worldview is based on my Biblical beliefs. I know that not only was I created by
God, but He created me in His own likeness (Genesis 1:27, NIV). I know from the Bible that
though my physical body will pass away, I have an eternal destiny awaiting me. John 3:16 shows
me that God love me so much that he gave his only son to die for my sin and that if I believe in
Him, I will have eternal life. From the Bible I have also learned that there is absolute truth in
God. Paul, when speaking about the hope for eternal life states, “God, who cannot lie, promised
before time began (Titus 1:2, NIV).” In operant conditioning, Skinner showed that by using
reinforcements and punishment that people could learn to obey. The same concept had been
mentioned several times in the Bible. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
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rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV).” “Do not withhold discipline from a
child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them
from eternal death (Proverbs 23: 13-14, NIV).”
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References
Cashion, C. (2019). (2nd ed.). Lifespan 360: Christian Perspectives on Human Development
Retrieved from
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781524987374/cfi/6/14!/4/2/2/2@0:0
Dick, A. S., & Mueller, U. (2018). . Abingdon, United Advancing Developmental Science
Kingdom: Taylor & Francis.
Mcleod, S. (2018, January 28). Skinner - Operant Conditioning. Retrieved May 9, 2020, from
https://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html
