B.F. Skinner

B.F. Skinner

Born	(1904-03-20)20 March 1904
Birth place	Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	18 August 1990(1990-08-18) (aged 86)
Place of death	Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
Nationality	American
Known for	Operant conditioning, Skinner box

Burrhus Frederic Skinner (March 20, 1904 – August 18, 1990) was an American psychologist, behaviorist, author, inventor, and social philosopher. He was a professor of psychology at Harvard University from 1958 until his retirement in 1974. Skinner was a leading advocate for behaviorism, a school of psychology that focuses on observable behaviors rather than internal mental states.

Early Life and Education

Skinner was born in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. He attended Hamilton College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature. Initially aspiring to be a writer, Skinner later pursued psychology at Harvard University, where he received his Ph.D. in 1931.

Career and Research

Skinner's work in psychology is primarily associated with the development of the theory of operant conditioning, a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Skinner's research demonstrated that behaviors could be shaped by controlling the environment and the consequences of actions.

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a type of learning where behavior is controlled by consequences. Key concepts in operant conditioning include reinforcement (positive and negative), punishment, and extinction. Skinner's experiments with animals, particularly pigeons and rats, in the "Skinner box" demonstrated how behavior could be modified through reinforcement schedules.

The Skinner Box

The "Skinner box" is an apparatus used to study animal behavior. It typically contains a lever or button that an animal can manipulate to receive a reward, such as food, or to avoid a punishment, such as a mild electric shock. This setup allowed Skinner to systematically study the effects of different schedules of reinforcement on behavior.

Contributions to Psychology

Skinner's work has had a profound impact on both psychology and education. His theories have been applied in various fields, including education, psychotherapy, and animal training. Skinner's emphasis on observable behavior and environmental factors has influenced the development of applied behavior analysis (ABA), a technique widely used in the treatment of autism and other developmental disorders.

Criticism and Legacy

While Skinner's work was groundbreaking, it also faced criticism. Critics argued that his focus on observable behavior ignored the complexity of human thought and emotion. Despite this, Skinner's influence remains significant, and his work continues to be a foundational element in the study of behavior.

Selected Works

• The Behavior of Organisms (1938)
• Walden Two (1948)
• Science and Human Behavior (1953)
• Beyond Freedom and Dignity (1971)

See Also

• Behaviorism
• Reinforcement
• Punishment (psychology)
• John B. Watson

External Links

• B.F. Skinner Foundation
• American Psychological Association: B.F. Skinner