Burrhus Frederic Skinner, commonly known as B.F. Skinner, was an American psychologist, behaviorist, author, inventor, and social philosopher. He is best known for his work in the field of operant conditioning, which focused on the consequences of actions to shape human behavior. Skinner’s theories have had a profound impact on the field of psychology and continue to be studied and applied today.
Throughout his career, Skinner shared his thoughts and insights on various topics through his writings and lectures. His quotes reflect his deep understanding of human behavior and the importance of environmental factors in shaping it. In this article, we have compiled some of the most thought-provoking and influential quotes by B.F. Skinner that shed light on his perspectives.
Read on to explore these insightful B.F. Skinner quotes:
Read these BF Skinner quotes:
“The real problem is not whether machines think, but whether men do.” – B.F. Skinner
“Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.” – B.F. Skinner
“A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.” – B.F. Skinner
“We shouldn’t teach great books; we should teach a love of reading.” – B.F. Skinner
“The environment shapes behavior.” – B.F. Skinner
“The consequences of an act affect the probability of its occurring again.” – B.F. Skinner
“We are all controlled by the consequences of our behavior.” – B.F. Skinner
“A person who has been punished is not thereby simply less inclined to behave in a given way; at best, he learns how to avoid punishment.” – B.F. Skinner
“The ideal of behaviorism is to eliminate coercion.” – B.F. Skinner
“The self is simply the product of our behavior.” – B.F. Skinner
“A man does not behave as he believes, but believes as he behaves.” – B.F. Skinner
“Give me a child, and I’ll shape him into anything.” – B.F. Skinner
“We shouldn’t be looking for heroes; we should be looking for good ideas.” – B.F. Skinner
“The best way to teach a child a lesson is to let him learn it through experience.” – B.F. Skinner
“If you’re old, don’t try to change yourself, change your environment.” – B.F. Skinner
“The consequences of an action determine the probability of its occurring again.” – B.F. Skinner
“Behavior is shaped and maintained by its consequences.” – B.F. Skinner
“The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.” – B.F. Skinner
“We shouldn’t reward a child for doing what they should do; we should reward them for doing what they don’t want to do.” – B.F. Skinner
“We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience.” – B.F. Skinner
“The way positive reinforcement is carried out is more important than the amount.” – B.F. Skinner
These B.F. Skinner quotes offer valuable insights into human behavior and the importance of consequences in shaping it. They encourage us to consider the environmental factors that influence our actions and remind us that change is possible through learning and reinforcement. Whether you are interested in psychology, education, or personal development, these quotes by B.F. Skinner are sure to inspire and provoke thought.
