Showing papers by "B. F. Skinner published in 1953"

Science and human behavior

Abstract: The psychology classic-a detailed study of scientific theories of human nature and the possible ways in which human behavior can be predicted and controlled-from one of the most influential behaviorists of the twentieth century and the author of Walden Two. "This is an important book, exceptionally well written, and logically consistent with the basic premise of the unitary nature of science. Many students of society and culture would take violent issue with most of the things that Skinner has to say, but even those who disagree most will find this a stimulating book." -Samuel M. Strong, The American Journal of Sociology "This is a remarkable book-remarkable in that it presents a strong, consistent, and all but exhaustive case for a natural science of human behavior...It ought to be...valuable for those whose preferences lie with, as well as those whose preferences stand against, a behavioristic approach to human activity." -Harry Prosch, Ethics

Some contributions of an experimental analysis of behavior to psychology as a whole.

Abstract: ALL psychologists study behavior—even those who believe this to be merely a step toward a subject matter of another sort. All psychologists therefore face certain important common problems. The \"pure\" experimental study of behavior in either the field or the laboratory is by its very nature concerned with problems of this sort. Any progress it may make toward solutions should be of interest to everyone who deals with behavior for any reason whatsoever. As an example, let us consider a concept which, in the most general terms, may be called \"probability of action.\" Behavior which has already occurred and may never be repeated is of limited interest. Psychologists are usually especially concerned with the future of the organisms they study. They want to predict what an individual will do or at least to specify some of the features which his behavior will exhibit under certain circumstances. They also frequently want to control behavior or to impress certain features upon it. But what sort of subject matter is future behavior? How is it represented in the organism under observation? Generally it is argued or implied that when we predict or arrange a future course of action, we are dealing with some contemporary state of the organism which represents the specified action before it has taken place. Thus, we speak of tendencies or readiness to behave as if they corresponded to something in the organism at the moment. We give this \"something\" many names—from the preparatory set of experimental psychology to the Freudian wish. Habits and instincts, dispositions and predispositions, attitudes, opinions, even personality itself, are all attempts to represent in the present organism something of its future behavior.