Worship and the prayer based on behavioristic approach

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

The present study aims to answer two main questions:
1. Can behavioristic approach explain the prayer like other human's activities?
2. Is the explanation of the prayer based on behavioristic approach compatible with Quran verses and narrations of Imams (PBUH)
   In order to generalize behaviorism to religious topics (e.g. the prayer) and explain what and how it should be trained, the study is considered as a step towards experimentation of Islamic psychology issues. Firstly, it deals with the principles and fundamentals of two important approaches of behaviorism, namely "Classical Conditioning" and "Factor Conditioning", are shortly discussed. Afterwards, Quran verses and narrations of Imams (PBUH) are consulted to confirm these psychological principles. Finally, compatibility between fundamentals of behavioristic approach and Quran verses and narrations of Imams (PBUH) are emphasized and thus mentioned questions will be replied. Accordingly, the prayer – similar to other human's behaviors – is a function of behaviorism principles, and this is consistent with the verses of Quran as well as Islamic narrations. In conclusion, it is indicated that behaviorism, as a school of thought, has not psychological universality, and like other psychological schools only examines some of human's aspects

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