Reflections on Behaviorism and Society. Chapter 4: Humanism and Behaviorism. Quote 10

Post author:B. F. Skinner Foundation
Post published:August 22, 2019
Post category:Skinner's Quote of the Day

“The age-old mistake is to look for salvation in the character of autonomous men and women rather than in the social environments that have appeared in the evolution of cultures and that can now be explicitly designed.” (pp. 54-55)

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)
[…]

“The age-old mistake is to look for salvation in the character of autonomous men and women rather than in the social environments that have appeared in the evolution of cultures and that can now be explicitly designed.” (pp. 54-55)

You Might Also Like

Contingencies of Reinforcement. Chapter 7: The Phylogeny and Ontogeny of Behavior. Quote 18

Science and Human Behavior, Chapter 20: Personal Control, Quote 4

Beyond Freedom and Dignity. Chapter 6: Values. Quote 2