Reflections on Behaviorism and Society. Chapter 14: The Force of Coincidence. Quote 3

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Reflections on Behaviorism and Society. Chapter 14: The Force of Coincidence. Quote 3

Post author:B. F. Skinner Foundation
Post published:January 1, 2020
Post category:Skinner's Quote of the Day

“The more “intelligent” the organism, the more likely it was to be superstitious.” (p. 172)

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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)
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“The more “intelligent” the organism, the more likely it was to be superstitious.” (p. 172)

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