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A reprint of the 1976 Macmillan edition. This fictional outline of
a modern utopia has been a center of controversy ever since its
publication in 1948. Set in the United States, it pictures a
society in which human problems are solved by a scientific
technology of human conduct.
The psychology classic--a detailed study of scientific theories of
human nature and the possible ways in which human behavior can be
predicted and controlled--from one of the most influential
behaviorists of the twentieth century and the author of "Walden
Two."
"This is an important book, exceptionally well written, and
logically consistent with the basic premise of the unitary nature
of science. Many students of society and culture would take violent
issue with most of the things that Skinner has to say, but even
those who disagree most will find this a stimulating book."
--Samuel M. Strong, "The American Journal of Sociology
"
"This is a remarkable book--remarkable in that it presents a
strong, consistent, and all but exhaustive case for a natural
science of human behavior...It ought to be...valuable for those
whose preferences lie with, as well as those whose preferences
stand against, a behavioristic approach to human activity." --Harry
Prosch, "Ethics"
In this profound and profoundly controversial work, a landmark of
20th-century thought originally published in 1971, B. F. Skinner
makes his definitive statement about humankind and society.
Insisting that the problems of the world today can be solved only
by dealing much more effectively with human behavior, Skinner
argues that our traditional concepts of freedom and dignity must be
sharply revised. They have played an important historical role in
our struggle against many kinds of tyranny, he acknowledges, but
they are now responsible for the futile defense of a presumed free
and autonomous individual; they are perpetuating our use of
punishment and blocking the development of more effective cultural
practices. Basing his arguments on the massive results of the
experimental analysis of behavior he pioneered, Skinner rejects
traditional explanations of behavior in terms of states of mind,
feelings, and other mental attributes in favor of explanations to
be sought in the interaction between genetic endowment and personal
history. He argues that instead of promoting freedom and dignity as
personal attributes, we should direct our attention to the physical
and social environments in which people live. It is the environment
rather than humankind itself that must be changed if the
traditional goals of the struggle for freedom and dignity are to be
reached. Beyond Freedom and Dignity urges us to reexamine the
ideals we have taken for granted and to consider the possibility of
a radically behaviorist approach to human problems--one that has
appeared to some incompatible with those ideals, but which
envisions the building of a world in which humankind can attain its
greatest possible achievements.
A reprint of the 1976 Macmillan edition. This fictional outline of
a modern utopia has been a center of controversy ever since its
publication in 1948. Set in the United States, it pictures a
society in which human problems are solved by a scientific
technology of human conduct.
The basic book about the controversial philosophy known as behaviorism, written by its leading exponent. Bibliography, index.
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Verbal Behavior (Hardcover)
B.F. Skinner; Introduction by Henry D. Schlinger
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R1,195
Discovery Miles 11 950
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Certain basic assumptions, essential to any scientific activity,
are sometimes called theories. That nature is orderly rather than
capricious is an example. Certain statements are also theories
simply to the extent that they are not yet facts. A scientist may
guess at the result of an experiment before the experiment is
carried out. The prediction and the later statement of result may
be composed of the same terms in the same syntactic arrangement,
the difference being in the degree of confidence. No empirical
statement is wholly non-theoretical in this sense, because evidence
is never complete, nor is any prediction probably ever made wholly
without evidence. The term "theory" will not refer here to
statements of these sorts but rather to any explanation of an
observed fact which appeals to events taking place somewhere else,
at some other level of observation, described in different terms,
and measured, if at all, in different dimensions. Research designed
with respect to theory is also likely to be wasteful. That a theory
generates research does not prove its value unless the research is
valuable. Much useless experimentation results from theories, and
much energy and skill are absorbed by them. Most theories are
eventually overthrown, and the greater part of the associated
research is discarded. This could be justified if it were true that
productive research requires a theory, as is, of course, often
claimed. It is argued that research would be aimless and
disorganized without a theory to guide it. The view is supported by
psychological texts that take their cue from the logicians rather
than empirical science and describe thinking as necessarily
involving stages of hypothesis, deduction, experimental test, and
confirmation. But this is not the way most scientists actually
work. It is possible to design significant experiments for other
reasons and the possibility to be examined is that such research
will lead more directly to the kind of information that a science
usually accumulates.
A Psychology Classic
Burrhus Frederic "B. F." Skinner ranks among the most frequently
cited and influential psychologists in the history of the
discipline. Building on the behaviorist theories of Ivan Pavlov and
John Watson he was the first psychologist to receive a Lifetime
Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association
(APA.) Originally published in 1948, Superstition in The Pigeon is
a learning theory classic.
Note To Psychology Students If you ever have to do a paper,
assignment or class project on the work of B. F. Skinner having
access to Superstition in The Pigeon in full will prove invaluable.
A psychology classic is by definition a must read; however, most
landmark texts within the discipline remain unread by a majority of
psychology students. A detailed, well written description of a
classic study is fine to a point, but there is absolutely no
substitute for understanding and engaging with the issues under
review than by reading the authors unabridged ideas, thoughts and
findings in their entirety.
Bonus Material Shortly after the publication of Superstition in
the Pigeon, Skinner gave a detailed account of his science of
behavior in a paper presented to the Midwestern Psychological
Association, in Chicago. First published in 1950, the paper
entitled Are Theories of Learning Necessary? is also presented in
full.
Superstition in The Pigeon by B. F. Skinner has been produced as
part of an initiative by the website www.all-about-psychology.com
to make historically important psychology publications widely
available.
In this video, professionals from various disciplines join B. F.
Skinner in addressing the issues and controversies generated by
behavioral psychology. Fred Keller, C. B. Ferster, Sidney Bijou,
Joseph Cautela and others discuss questions, concerns, and
contributions of behavioral theory and intervention. The video
shows on-site interventions with patients, clients, and students in
a variety of settings.
In this profound and profoundly controversial work, a landmark of
20th-century thought originally published in 1971, B. F. Skinner
makes his definitive statement about humankind and society.
Insisting that the problems of the world today can be solved only
by dealing much more effectively with human behavior, Skinner
argues that our traditional concepts of freedom and dignity must be
sharply revised. They have played an important historical role in
our struggle against many kinds of tyranny, he acknowledges, but
they are now responsible for the futile defense of a presumed free
and autonomous individual; they are perpetuating our use of
punishment and blocking the development of more effective cultural
practices. Basing his arguments on the massive results of the
experimental analysis of behavior he pioneered, Skinner rejects
traditional explanations of behavior in terms of states of mind,
feelings, and other mental attributes in favor of explanations to
be sought in the interaction between genetic endowment and personal
history. He argues that instead of promoting freedom and dignity as
personal attributes, we should direct our attention to the physical
and social environments in which people live. It is the environment
rather than humankind itself that must be changed if the
traditional goals of the struggle for freedom and dignity are to be
reached. Beyond Freedom and Dignity urges us to reexamine the
ideals we have taken for granted and to consider the possibility of
a radically behaviorist approach to human problems--one that has
appeared to some incompatible with those ideals, but which
envisions the building of a world in which humankind can attain its
greatest possible achievements.
"People are now planning better for physical old age," the authors
write, "but a different kind of planning is necessary for the
enjoyment of it. That is where we hope this book will help." One of
the twentieth century's most notable psychologists, B. F. Skinner
gives solid and uplifting advice on dealing with the problems of
age. With Margaret Vaughan, an expert on aging and formerly a
research associate at Harvard, he shows you how to: * make changes
in your surroundings to compensate for the drawbacks of age; *
combat forgetfulness and keep thinking clearly and creatively; *
get along better with younger people and children; * deal with the
new emotional responses age brings and much more.
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