¹Taif Abdulridha Raheemah, ²Ahmed Rahi Alhelal

¹English Department, Faculty of Education for Women, University of Kufa/ Najaf/ Iraq
²Islamic Department, Faculty of Basic Education, University of Kufa/ Najaf/ Iraq

DOI : https://doi.org/10.47191/ijsshr/v7-i11-72

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ABSTRACT

Through the clash of civilizations, this study represents the ongoing negotiation and redefinition of personalities of their identities. This conflict between traditional values and personal ambitions highlights cultural tensions between ethnic and cultural identity. The study illustrates Skinner's behavioral theory, pointing out how external reinforcements and punishments affect characters' actions and decisions. In addition, the novel provides a commentary on social norms and the relentless pursuit of identity and belonging in a divided world, reflecting the ongoing struggles that individuals face with societal expectations and personal ambitions. The clash of civilizations shows the importance of cultural diversity and complexities in shaping identities in a multicultural society. Identity’s responses to reinforcement and punishment reveal the complex relationship between behavior, societal expectations, and individual choices in shaping a person's sense of self. After the study, it was discovered that Skinner's theory of reinforcement and punishment can be seen in the behavior of the two main characters in Larsen's novel. The novel reflects cultural and social tensions in early twentieth-century America and illustrates how the clash of ethnic and cultural identities can shape an individual's behavior and life decisions.

KEYWORDS:

Behaviorism, Operant conditioning, identity, reinforcement and punishment, clash of civilization, passing

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Volume 07 Issue 11 November 2024