Question

Was B.F Skinner just a cool scientist who based his opinions only on observable behavior or was he was he complicated individual who only believed in behaviorism?

Answer 1

B.F Skinner was a complicated individual who only believed in behaviorism

It has sometimes been said that “behave is what organisms do.” Behaviorism is built on this assumption, and its goal is to promote the scientific study of behavior. The behavior, in particular, of individual organisms. Not of social groups. Not of cultures. But of particular persons and animals.

In this entry I consider different types of behaviorism. I outline reasons for and against being a behaviorist. I consider contributions of behaviorism to the study of behavior. Special attention is given to the so-called “radical behaviorism” of B. F. Skinner (1904–90). Skinner is given special (not exclusive) attention because he is the behaviorist who has received the most attention from philosophers, fellow scientists and the public at large. If he is not often cited or discussed today, if some contemporary behavioral scientists who call themselves behaviorists wish to dissociate themselves from some of his main ideas, this means that his active influence has waned. However, his historical reputation and influence as the paradigmatic behaviorist remains intact. Lessons can be learned from Skinner about behaviorism in general.