Recent Issues. Chapter 11: A New Preface to Beyond Freedom and Dignity. Quote 5

Post author:B. F. Skinner Foundation
Post published:March 20, 2019
Post category:Skinner's Quote of the Day

“Both natural selection and operant conditioning have been slow to make their way as scientific explanations because they conflict with well-established views. Selection replaces purpose, for example.” (p. 115) (pp. 114-115)

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SKINNER'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

Verbal Behavior: Extended Edition. Chapter 4: Verbal Behavior under the Control of Verbal Stimuli. Quote 16
Echoic responses are useful and reinforced when they serve as fill-ins. In answer to the question What will happen to the international situation during the next few weeks? the student may begin During the next few weeks, the international situation…, which may be purely echoic but, especially if the situation demands speed, self-reinforcing if it provides a breathing space for the composition of the rest of the sentence. (p. 57)
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“Both natural selection and operant conditioning have been slow to make their way as scientific explanations because they conflict with well-established views. Selection replaces purpose, for example.” (p. 115) (pp. 114-115)

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