Had a Fascination with Mechanical Objects and Invented the Skinner Box

B.F. Skinner's Operant Analysis

BIOGRAPHY

had a fascination with mechanical objects and invented the Skinner box.

Unlike Watson, he felt that psychologists could study "internal events" so long as it was done scientifically.

E. L. Thorndike and his law of effect inspired Skinner's "operant analysis" approach.

CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES

Skinner distinguished mentalism from cognition.

“mentalism” - refers to intangible inner states such as “motivation” or “initiative” or “feeling spiritual” which can NOT be studied scientifically.

“cognition” - in contrast, refers to “private behaviors” which CAN be studied, (e.g., that big dog has evoked images of being bitten, physical responses, etc.).

Skinner vs. Watson on the study of “internal events”:

Watson - psychology should NOT attempt to study internal events (thoughts).

Skinner - psychology can study internal events so long as it was done scientifically, objectively, and accurately. This would include personality.

mentalism - an example. When we say that “he ate because he was hungry” it seems to explain the behavior but it really does not.

A "Functional Analysis" - does explain the behavior. This includes time since last

meal, desirability of food, competing behaviors etc.

Environmental determinism - To a “radical behaviorist” like Skinner, our behaviors are determined by conditions and consequences. Free will is “an illusion.”

"Personality" - for Skinner involves an understanding of

1. the unique learning history

of the individual. and

2. the unique genetic background of that individual.

Operant Conditioning

contingencies - are "if - then" statements saying that if I do A then B will occur.

reinforcement - following a behavior with a consequence that INCREASES the probability of the behavior occurring again in the future (can be positive or negative).

positive reinforcement – ex. study hard, get a good grade.

negative reinforcement - ex. have an alcoholic drink, feelings of anxiety and stress are gone.

punishment - following a behavior with a consequence that DECREASES the

probability the behavior will occur in the future (can be positive or negative).

positive punishment - ex. drink too much, get a hangover.

negative punishment - ex. drive too fast, pay a fine.

reinforcement - is preferable to punishment when possible (Skinner)

Skinner’s view on punishment (3 points):

1. only “suppresses,” does NOT eliminate the undesirable behavior.

2. may give rise to “emotional responses” incompatible with appropriate behavior.

3. may create “conflict” within the person.

THEORY'S IMPLICATIONS FOR THEREAPY

Allyon and Azrin’s study with schizophrenics - demonstrated that token economies could modify the behavior of schizophrenics. BUT, when the “contingencies” (if-then conditions) were discontinued, the undesirable behaviors returned.

Example of the use of aversive techniques (in book) - a severely retarded 7 year-old was cured of “hand biting behavior” via electric shock. This raises ethical questions.

Ryckman’s (text author) view on the use of punishment - abuses are few and there are potential benefits for thousands of people.

THEORY'S IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIETY

Walden Two - Skinner’s utopian society.

1. efficient communal living arrangements.

2. no money, credits are earned instead.

3. more credits would be earned for less desirable work so all jobs would be filled.

4. no bars or taverns, satisfied people wouldn’t need alcohol.

5. children raised by EXPERTS because parents would mess it up.

6. planners and managers are not elected as most people are unable to make such decisions intelligently.

Humanistic/Existential (Rogers/May) reactions to Skinner’s ideas - Both would say that Skinner’s reductionism is dehumanizing and cannot explain the richness of human existence.