B. F. Skinner

B. F. Skinner (1904–1990) was an American psychologist and behaviorist who developed the theory of operant conditioning. He is considered one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century.

Early life and education

Burrhus Frederic Skinner was born on March 20, 1904, in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. He attended Hamilton College in New York, where he developed an interest in literature and writing. After graduating in 1926, Skinner spent a year trying to become a professional writer before deciding to pursue a career in psychology.

Skinner enrolled in the Harvard psychology program in 1928, where he studied under William James and Edward Thorndike. He received his Ph.D. in 1931 and remained at Harvard as a researcher until 1936.

Career and research

In 1936, Skinner accepted a position at the University of Minnesota, where he developed the concept of operant conditioning. This theory, which is based on the idea that behavior is determined by its consequences, became a fundamental aspect of behavioral psychology.

Skinner's most significant contribution to psychology was the Skinner box, a device he invented to study animal behavior. The Skinner box allowed Skinner to observe how animals respond to different types of reinforcement and punishment.

In addition to his work on operant conditioning, Skinner also conducted research on verbal behavior and developed a teaching machine that used his principles of learning.

Legacy

Skinner's theories have had a profound impact on both psychology and education. His work on operant conditioning has been used to develop effective teaching methods and to treat behavioral problems. Despite some criticism, Skinner's theories remain a significant part of the field of psychology.

See also

• Behaviorism
• Operant conditioning
• Reinforcement
• Punishment

References

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  B. F. Skinner at Harvard circa 1950

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  B. F. Skinner Grave

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  Skinner Teaching Machine