BURRHUS FREDERIC SKINNER 

Burrhus Frederic Skinner was born on March20th 1904 in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.

Burrhus Frederic Skinner was an author, social philosopher, poet and an inventor. He was also one of the most distinguished and celebrated psychologist in The United States Of America. Burrhus Frederic Skinner has received 20 honorary doctorates and a number of prestigious awards for his exceptional work in the field of psychology. 

Burrhus Frederic Skinner innovatively proposed Radical behaviorism after extensive observations observed. Radical behaviorism can be understood easily if we understand the relationship between a behavior and a stimulus. 

If the chance of you repeating a behavior is increased due to a stimulus, then the influencing stimulus is said to be a positive reinforcer. If the chance of you repeating a behavior is decreased due to a stimulus, then the influencing stimulus is said to be a positive punisher. 
If the chance of you repeating a behavior is increased due to the absence of a stimulus, then the influencing stimulus is said to be a negative reinforcer. If the chance of you repeating a behavior is decreased due to the absence of a stimulus, then the influencing stimulus is said to be a negative punisher. 

Burrhus Frederic Skinner’s proposals and observations were heavily criticized. Critics said that Bruhhus Frederic Skinner was a logical positivist. Arguments arise that a behavior does not need stimulus to become reinforced but the behavior itself can change into a stimulus. Contrary to the accusations it cannot be ignored that behaviors are developed due to thought, they are altered or even changed by the thought process. 

Verbal Behavior is a result of twenty years of methodic, functional and inductive approach at decoding verbal patterns. Verbal behavior was no initially accepted but over time it has gained respect. 

Bruhus Frederic Skinner’s inventions ranged from an air crib to pigeon guided missiles. He died on August 18, 1990 due to leukemia. Despite all the criticisms and negative remarks about his work he was a very influential psychologist who inspired change. 

Questions:

• Is a punisher the same as a punishment?
• Why do you think Burrhus Frederic Skinner’s pigeon guided missile was shelved?