Modeling

Posted July 23 by Jeff Terrell

In the mid 1960′s a psychologist named Albert Bandura changed the way we think about learning with a fascinating set of experiments. Using what he called a "Bobo doll," Bandura had children watch someone hitting the doll aggressively. There were three experimental conditions. One ending of the film ended with the aggression. The second ending included a reward for the model’s behavior. Only the third included a reprimand for the aggressor’s behavior. The first two groups exhibited significantly more aggressive behaviors when later put in the room with Bobo.

Prior to this experiment, psychologists believed that a person must be rewarded or punished directly in order for learning to take place. (I’m really not sure why-had none of them ever accidentally let a word slip when stubbing their toe around their children? That’ll teach you about modeling pretty quickly, I think.)

Lately I’ve been reading a little book by a lay monk from the fifteenth century named Brother Lawrence called "Practicing the Presence of God." Interesting idea and very much related to the truth that Bandura demonstrated. We learn Kingdom living through a number of means. We can experience directly the work of the Spirit, we can analyze and synthesize new knowledge from scripture, we can internalize knowledge via memorization…and there are likely many other ways to learn.

However, I’m convinced that the best way we learn is by seeing someone else lead the way. (Isn’t that really what the WWJD bracelets were all about a few years ago?) And ultimately that’s our real calling. I think it’s what Jesus meant when he said that all people will know that we are his disciples "by our love." 1 John tells us clearly that God is love. And it’s our responsibility to make sure that his love is experienced by those around us. Jesus didn’t say they would know us by our doctrine, our orthodoxy, or our vestments.

Our job is to obey the master, following in Jesus’ footsteps. The only way I can see to do that is to not only listen to his words, but to watch what he did. That’s what counseling is really all about: responding in love to those who are in need.

If you’re interested in learning more, let’s talk…

About the author, Jeff Terrell

Jeff Terrell is President and Professor of Counseling Psychology. He is a licensed psychologist and a board certified licensed professional counselor. His Ph.D. and M.S. in Counseling Psychology are from the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition, he holds the M.Div. in Biblical Languages from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and the B.A. from Samford University. His professional interest include: personality disorders, adult psychodynamic counseling and theory, and marital therapy. He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including APA, Divs 2 and 36 of the APA, GPA, and CAPS.