Suppose, now, that a given response recedes to the level of covert or merely incipient behavior. How shall we explain the vocabulary which deals with this private world? . . . the covert response may be similar to, though probably less intense than, the overt and hence supply the same stimulus, albeit in a weakened form . . . a response may be emitted in the presence of a private stimulus, which has no public accompaniments, provided it is occasionally reinforced in the presence of the same stimulus occurring with public manifestations. (p. 421)
Cumulative Record. Chapter 28: The Operational Analysis of Psychological Terms. Quote 32
- Post author:B. F. Skinner Foundation
- Post published:November 30, 2023
- Post category:Skinner's Quote of the Day