Reflections on Behaviorism and Society. Chapter 17: Freedom and Dignity Revisited. Quote 6

B. F. SKINNER FOUNDATION

Reflections on Behaviorism and Society. Chapter 17: Freedom and Dignity Revisited. Quote 6

Post author:B. F. Skinner Foundation
Post published:January 30, 2020
Post category:Skinner's Quote of the Day

“When we punish bad behavior, we can give the individual credit for behaving well, but if we arrange conditions under which he “desires” to behave well, the conditions must get the credit.” (p. 196)

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 8: The Verbal Operant as a Unit of Analysis. Quote 5
The pathological condition of verbal behavior called aphasia often emphasizes functional differences which are hard to understand in terms of the traditional account … The aphasic has lost some of the functional relationships which control his verbal behavior. A response of a given form may no longer be under the control of one functional relation, although it is still under the control of another. (p. 190)
[…]

“When we punish bad behavior, we can give the individual credit for behaving well, but if we arrange conditions under which he “desires” to behave well, the conditions must get the credit.” (p. 196)

You Might Also Like

Verbal Behavior: Extended Edition. Chapter 4: Verbal Behavior under the Control of Verbal Stimuli. Quote 28

Cumulative Record. Chapter 34: The Generic Nature of the Concepts of Stimulus and Response. Quote 2

Recent Issues. Chapter 7: The Operant Side of Behavior Therapy. Quote 15