Reflections on Behaviorism and Society. Chapter 1: Human Behavior and Democracy. Quote 5

Post author:B. F. Skinner Foundation
Post published:May 30, 2019
Post category:Skinner's Quote of the Day

“No matter how essential to the survival of a species a process may once have been, it can become troublesome or even lethal when the environment changes, and this has happened to both positive and negative reinforcement.” (p. 5)

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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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“No matter how essential to the survival of a species a process may once have been, it can become troublesome or even lethal when the environment changes, and this has happened to both positive and negative reinforcement.” (p. 5)

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