Reflections on Behaviorism and Society. Chapter 2: Are We Free to Have a Future? Quote 22

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

“No matter how free we feel, we are never free of our genetic endowment or of the changes which occur in us during our lifetime.” (p. 32)

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!

Please consider donating to the B. F. Skinner Foundation. Right now, there are ten thousand additional reasons to help us in achieving our worthy cause: Better Behavioral Science for a More Humane World! Thanks to a generous pledge, the first $10,000 in donations made during this drive will be matched. That means that your donation will make twice the impact!
Please click the DONATE button, mail in a contribution, or add a donation to a purchase you make from our store.

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

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)
[…]

“No matter how free we feel, we are never free of our genetic endowment or of the changes which occur in us during our lifetime.” (p. 32)

You Might Also Like

About Behaviorism, Chapter 12: The Question of Control, Quote 2

Cumulative Record. Chapter 28: The Operational Analysis of Psychological Terms. Quote 5

Beyond Freedom and Dignity. Chapter 9: What is Man? Quote 7