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Operant Conditioning and B.F. Skinner

By: Zachary Chandler,Kelsea Leppo,and Stephen Williams

Burrhas Frederic Skinner March 20th, 1904- August 18th 1990

"Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten."

Among many of the most notable, as well as controversial, psychologists of learning behavior is the man of the mid twentieth century known only as B.F. Skinner. Known most commonly for his study of behaviorism, which he later came to call Operantant Conditioning, Skinner spent the majority of his life developing and expanding on this method of learning most often referred to as radical behaviorism. "Because of his groundbreaking work on operant conditioning, B.F. Skinner has been called the greatest of American psychologists" (Wade, Tavis 249). His most renowned work was with the positive and negative reinforcements of lab rats to perform goals in a a controlled environment (cage). "His philosophy promoted the determinist view that we are shaped by our environments and our genetic heritage" (Wade; Tavris 249). His findings were indeed significant and thus his theories and methods are still incorporated into the treatment of phobias, addictions, and classroom education today.

Please feel free to wander through this site of history and education, in which you will explore the great thoughts and theories that B.F. Skinner has contributed life today.

Who is this Skinner Guy?

What's that box?

What does Operant Conditioning have to do with Learning?

What do these finding have to do with the classroom?

What is its Practical Use With Technology in the 21st Century?

Are you making this stuff up?