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The Psychology of B F Skinner
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The Psychology of B F Skinner


March 2001 | 296 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

"The authors provide a concise overview of the basic principles and methods used by modern behavior analysts, as well as a thorough discussion of the difference between reward and reinforcement and elicited and emitted behavior."
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL RECORD

"O'Donohue and Ferguson provide an exceptionally clear picture of the breadth, scientific importance, and value to society of the work of the late B.F. Skinner. They include reasons that his work has been criticized and misunderstood. A substantial index, an attractive cover and typeface, and a readable style are bonuses to this exceptionally well-researched, accurate, and fair description of Skinner's work. All collections."— CHOICE

In The Psychology of B. F. Skinner, William T. O'Donohue and Kyle E. Ferguson not only introduce the life of one of the most influential psychologist of the past century but also put that life into historical and philosophical context. In so doing, they illuminate Skinner's contributions to psychology, his philosophy of science, his experimental research program, and the behavioral principles and applied aspects that emerged from it. They also rebut criticism of Skinner's work, including radical behaviorism, and discuss key developments others have derived from it.

Behaviorists, or more precisely Skinnerians, commonly consider Skinner's work to have been misrepresented, misunderstood, and, to some extent, even defamed. The authors take great care in accurately representing both the strengths and the weaknesses of his positions. They also attempt to correct misinterpretations of his work. Finally, they guide students through Skinner's theories and demonstrate their applications and usefulness via extensive examples and illustrations.


 
Introduction
 
B F Skinner
The Man

 
 
Skinner's Intellectual Influences
 
Skinner's Philosophy of a Science of Human Behaviour
Radical Behaviorism

 
 
Operant Conditioning and the Experimental Analysis of Behaviour
 
Skinner on Cognition
 
Skinner on Language
 
Applied Behavior Analysis
 
B F Skinner
Expert Self-Manager

 
 
Skinner's Views on Bettering Society
 
Criticisms of Skinner
 
Skinner's Legacy
 
B F Skinner's Published Works

"O’Donohue and Ferguson provide an exceptionally clear picture of the breadth, scientific importance, and value to society of the work of the late B.F. Skinner. They include reasons that his work has been criticized and misunderstood. A substantial index, an attractive cover and typeface, and a readable style are bonuses to this exceptionally well-researched, accurate, and fair description of Skinner’s work. All collections." 

Choice

"The authors provide a concise overview of the basic principles and methods used by modern behavior analysts, as well as a thorough discussion of the difference between reward and reinforcement and elicited and emitted behavior."
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL RECORD

Michael Clayton
Southern Illinios University
The Psychological Record

This text has been adopted by Capella University

Ms Patty Weigand
Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Capella University
July 2, 2014

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781506317786

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