B. F. Skinner
B. F. Skinner
Burrhus Frederic Skinner, commonly known as B. F. Skinner, was an American psychologist, behaviorist, author, inventor, and social philosopher. He was the Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology at Harvard University from 1958 until his retirement in 1974...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth20 March 1904
CitySusquehana Depot, PA
CountryUnited States of America
B. F. Skinner quotes about
holocaust waiting nuclear
Must we wait for selection to solve the problems of overpopulation, exhaustion of resources, pollution of the environment and a nuclear holocaust, or can we take explicit steps to make our future more secure? In the latter case, must we not transcend selection?
reinforcement mutation behavior
We have seen that in certain respects operant reinforcement resembles the natural selection of evolutionary theory. Just as genetic characteristics which arise as mutations are selected or discarded by their consequences, so novel forms of behavior are selected or discarded through reinforcement.
said has-beens
Those who have had anything useful to say have said it far too often, and those who have had nothing to say have been no more reticent.
order years style
Going out of style isn't a natural process, but a manipulated change which destroys the beauty of last year's dress in order to make it worthless.
teacher winning parent
The simulated approval and affection with which parents and teachers are often urged to solve behavior problems are counterfeit. So are flattery, backslap-ping, and many other ways of "winning friends.
loss men views
Fame is also won at the expense of others. Even the well-deserved honors of the scientist or man of learning are unfair to many persons of equal achievements who get none. When one man gets a place in the sun, the others are put in a denser shade. From the point of view of the whole group there's no gain whatsoever, and perhaps a loss.
country age enjoy
Old age is rather like another country. You will enjoy it more if you have prepared yourself before you go.
education advantage ends
Indeed one of the ultimate advantages of an education is simply coming to the end of it.
worry anxiety dying
I will be dead in a few months. But it hasn't given me the slightest anxiety or worry. I always knew I was going to die.
illusion humans ifs
If freedom is a requisite for human happiness, then all that’s necessary is to provide the illusion of freedom.
wish facts accepting
Science is a willingness to accept facts even when they are opposed to wishes.
technology damage comfort
A vast technology has been developed to prevent, reduce, or terminate exhausting labor and physical damage. It is now dedicated to the production of the most trivial conveniences and comfort.
tasks students behavior
It has always been the task of formal education to set up behavior which would prove useful or enjoyable later in a student's life.
men
Men build society and society builds men.