B.F. Skinner

B.F. Skinner

Burrhus Frederic Skinner (March 20, 1904 – August 18, 1990), 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.

Pronunciation

Burrhus Frederic Skinner is pronounced as /ˈbɜːr.hʌs ˈfrɛd.rɪk ˈskɪn.ər/.

Etymology

The name "Burrhus" is of Latin origin, meaning "red" or "reddish". "Frederic" is of Old German origin, meaning "peaceful ruler". "Skinner" is an occupational surname of English origin, referring to a person who removes animal hides in preparation for tanning.

Related Terms

• Behaviorism
• Operant Conditioning
• Reinforcement
• Negative Reinforcement
• Positive Reinforcement
• Punishment
• Operant Conditioning Chamber
• Schedules of Reinforcement
• Shaping
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Verbal Behavior

Biography

B.F. Skinner was born in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. He received his B.A. in English literature in 1926 from Hamilton College. After graduation, he spent a year at his parents' home in Scranton, attempting to become a writer of fiction. He then decided to abandon literature and seek admission as a graduate student in psychology at Harvard University, where he earned his doctorate in 1931.

Skinner is primarily known for developing the theory of Behaviorism, which attempts to understand behavior as a function of environmental histories of reinforcing consequences. He invented the Operant Conditioning Chamber, also known as the Skinner Box, to study animal behavior.

Legacy

Skinner's work has had a profound impact on psychology, particularly Behaviorism and Applied Behavior Analysis. His theories and research have been widely applied in various fields, including education, healthcare, and animal training.

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