Reflections on Behaviorism and Society. Chapter 1: Human Behavior and Democracy. Quote 18

Post author:B. F. Skinner Foundation
Post published:June 18, 2019
Post category:Skinner's Quote of the Day

“It is often said that in the end the question is who will control the controllers (Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?), but the issue is not Who but What” (p. 14)

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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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“It is often said that in the end the question is who will control the controllers (Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?), but the issue is not Who but What” (p. 14)

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