In: Psychology
Behavioral psychologists might argue that we are a simply a result of our environment and the various contingencies that we have encountered in our lives. Furthermore, they might argue that, given the proper environment, we can influence people in whatever way we might want. What do you think about these opinions? What environmental contingencies influence (or have influenced) you the most?
The black slate theory is an extreme position of behaviorism which state that every individual is born like an empty slate and can be made whatever through environmental factors and conditioning. However, this position is not true as our temperament is determined by genetic and biological factors. And this temperament then shapes up our personality. So both the biological and Environmental factors are responsible for our personality.
Some of the enviornmental contigencies which have influenced me the most was that in the field of sports. From a young age i was encouraged to play sports and i also enjoyed it a lot. Whenever i used to complete my schoolwork i was allowed to play sports, which i loved. In school also, i got sports scholarship and the teachres were very encouraging to me to play sports. They did not pressure me in academics and i got many trophies for my sports succes. All this provided me the positive reinforment to do well in sports.