Human Personality
Human personality is the sum total of an individual's defining behaviors. In most circumstances, cognitive perceptions will always demonstrate that it is possible to analyze general human behaviors by studying a small representative population (Nabi, Robin, Clark & Shannon, 2008). To think about it, operant conditioning can be utilized to shape the personality of any individual. As an example, suppose a worker arrives late for work only to discover the supervisor irate. He or she is criticized by the employer and may be replaced or dismissed at times. The worker will learn a lesson form the consequences he or she experienced and will therefore be forced to change his behavior to avoid similar repercussions. This principle is actually applicable in understanding the traits of others since it is versatile in several human contexts.
Reciprocal Determinism
An example of my practical situation of reciprocal determinism theory is when I was in high school, I detested the mathematics lessons. I could not study the subject during my free time. I frequently scored low marks in the subject, which made my parents and teachers to reprimand me. Since then I disliked all mathematics teachers without any solid reason. In this case, not studying and disliking the subject was a personal factor, the teachers and parents were the environment, and disliking the teachers was my behavior which is representation of the whole reciprocal determinism (Domjan, 2009).
Rational Emotive Theory
I used to have a soft spot for strangers who would show up at our home. I used to think it was a good thing to welcome them since it would form a niche to make new friends. One day, I welcomed a group of men only to realize later that they were robbers who sought for hideout in our homestead. After leaving, the police showed up and confiscated all our assets claiming that all those items would be used as evidence that our home had become a safe place for the town's villains. The consequences of losing all our assets were as a result of emotions towards strangers (Lyons & Woods, 1991).
References
Domjan, M. (2009). The Principles of Learning and Behavior. Wadsworth Publishing Company. 6th Edition.
Lyons, L.C., & Woods, P.J. (1991). The efficacy of rational-emotive therapy: A quantitative review of the outcome research. Clinical Psychology Review, 11, 357–369.
Nabi, Robin L., & Clark, Shannon (2008). “Exploring the limits of social cognitive theory: Why negatively reinforced behaviors on TV may be modeled anyway”. Journal of Communication. 58 (3): 407–427
