B.F. Skinner

Case Study # 101220

Psychology > Behaviorism
Psychology > Case Studies
Psychology > Theory

B.F. Skinner

This paper discuses psychologist B.F. Skinner and applies his theories to thbe observation of a student.

1,830 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that B.F. Skinner became known for his theory of operant conditioning in relation to behavior. The author points out that, through experiments in his laboratory, Skinner determined that the human was similar to the rat because rats could be taught to behave in any manner if they knew that a reward would follow the behavior. The paper argues that, while many in society proclaimed that Skinner was attempting to create a system that would prevent individual's from being in control of their own lives, he simply demonstrated that the environment was a substantial factor in how people behave. The author describes the behavior of the student Mike and concludes that Skinner would have determined that Mike's behavior was because of extensive operant conditioning in which Mike learned through both positive and negative reinforcements.

Table of Contents:
Skinner's Theory of Operant Conditioning
Rat Experiments
Behavior Modification
Criticism
Student Case Study Observation

From the Paper:

"Skinner believed, nonetheless, that if the entire process of setting the timer, ringing the bell and serving the food were repeated eventually that the rats would resume their previous operant behavior. This was because Skinner found that "re-teaching" the rats to act in a certain manner was a simple task, as the rats appeared to mentally recall the process that they had learned previously. Initially teaching the rats required "continuous reinforcement" on the part of Skinner, which meant that every time, regardless of the hour, that the rat completed a task that Skinner had determined the rat would be rewarded with food."

Sample of Sources Used:

Boeree, G. (n.d.). B.F. Skinner. Personality Theories. Retrieved December 5, 2006, from http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/skinner.html
Chomsky, N. (1971). The case against B.F. Skinner. New York Book Reviews. Retrieved December 5, 2006, from http://www.chomsky.info/articles/19711230.htm
Huitt, W. (1994). Principles for using behavior modification. Valdosta State University. Retrieved December 5, 2006, from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/behsys/behmod.html.