Essay Assignment Instructions

Overview

Students will complete 4 essay assignments in this class. Each essay has two questions to answer. Learning about a topic is a first step in understanding. Applying the knowledge you are learning allows you to show your understanding in a real-life situation. Research suggests when you apply information in a meaningful way, you will remember the topic at a deeper level and for a prolonged period of time. These essays will give you the opportunity to solidify the knowledge you are learning, consider biblical perspectives on learning, and increase your application and communication skills.

Instructions

• Compose an essay using current APA format using a title page, in-text citations, and a reference page.  
• Answer both questions in each essay with a minimum of 300 words for each question.
• Academic questions require using concepts from the required course materials.

• Biblical questions require the use of the Bible and concepts from the course materials. Use at least two appropriate scriptures and fully explain the use of the specific scripture.  Do not list a scripture or add it to the essay without explaining its use.

• Write in a formal college-level essay style.  
• For this assignment, you may use first person.   
• Do not include the essay questions in your submission. 
• Include at least two in-text citations in each of the essay questions. A minimum of one class material and the Bible must be included on the reference page. 

• Do not include direct textbook quotes. Instead, paraphrase information from the textbook or required readings (using in-text citations).

• Bible quotes are allowed and required.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

Essay Prompts

Essay: Learning Assignment (week 1 – Due May 20)

Academic Question:

Describe Domjan’s definition of learning and how it is distinguished from other forms of behavioral change. Share a personal example of how you have learned to learn.

Biblical Question:

How might learning be a part of salvation and sanctification? Use concepts from the textbook and at least two scriptures to support your answer.

Essay: Conditioning Assignment (week 3 – Due June 3)

Academic Question:

Imagine that a friend of yours has committed a faux pas at your dinner party. Rather than embarrass your friend with an immediate correction, you wait until the party is over. Why is this not likely to alter your friend’s behavior? What could you have done to improve the chances that a correction would change the behavior? 

Biblical Question:

You wanted to ensure that the individuals you disciple develop a strong devotional life, How might you use a schedule of reinforcement to reward their learning? How can you use reinforcement to develop your own devotional life? Use concepts from the textbook and at least two scriptures to support your answer. 

Essay: Change Assignment (week 5 – Due June 17)

Academic Question:

Clients only come to counseling for a short while. This means you will need to prepare them for success post-counseling. What are four things Domjan you can do to ensure the generalization of treatment outcomes?

Biblical Question:

How does God use reinforcement and punishment to teach believers and non-believers? Share one way God has used reinforcement or punishment in your life. Use concepts from the textbook and at least two scriptures to support your answer. 

Essay: Control Assignment (week 7 – Due July 1)

Academic Question:

Your four-year-old continually acts out when you are getting her ready for Sunday morning worship. In order to punish this behavior and ensure it does not return, what are three factors Domjan discusses to ensure her behavior is altered?

Biblical Question:

How is fear addressed in the Bible? Does this match the secular view of fear? Why or why not? Share an example where you have used your faith to overcome a personal fear in your life.

Use concepts from the textbook and at least two scriptures to support your answer.