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

B. F. SKINNER FOUNDATION

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)

All proceeds support the B. F. Skinner Foundation and enable us to continue our important work. Thank you to all of current and previous donors for helping us continue our mission of Better Behavioral Science for a More Humane World!

The newest addition to the Skinner for the 21st Century series, Science and Human Behaivor: Extended Edition, is available in hard cover! A PDF version of the book is also available.

SKINNER'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

Verbal Behavior: Extended Edition. Chapter 6: Special Conditions Affecting Stimulus Control. Quote 7
Reinforcing sounds in the child’s environment provide for the automatic reinforcement of vocal forms. Such sounds need not be verbal; the child is reinforced automatically when he duplicates the sounds of airplanes, streetcars, automobiles, vacuum cleaners, birds, dogs, cats, and so on. But among the sounds which become important are the verbal responses of his parents and others. (p. 164)
[…]

“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)

You Might Also Like

Cumulative Record: Definitive Edition (1999). Chapter 1:Freedom and the Control of Men. Quote 12

Contingencies of Reinforcement. Chapter 1: The Role of the Environment. Quote 15

Beyond Freedom and Dignity. Chapter 5: Alternatives to Punishment. Quote 6