Public Figure Profiles

B.F. Skinner

Burrhus Frederic Skinner (March 20, 1904 – August 18, 1990) was an American psychologist, behaviorist, author, inventor, and social philosopher. He was a professor of psychology at Harvard University from 1958 until his retirement in 1974.Considering free will to be an illusion, Skinner saw human action as dependent on consequences of previous actions, a theory he would articulate as the principle of reinforcement: If the consequences to an action are bad, there is a high chance the action will not be repeated; if the consequences are good, the probability of the action being repeated becomes stronger.Skinner developed behavior analysis, especially the philosophy of radical behaviorism, and founded the experimental analysis of behavior, a school of experimental research psychology. He also used operant conditioning to strengthen behavior, considering the rate of response to be the most effective measure of response strength. To study operant conditioning, he invented the operant conditioning chamber (aka the Skinner box), and to measure rate he invented the cumulative recorder. Using these tools, he and Charles Ferster produced Skinner's most influential experimental work, outlined in their 1957 book Schedules of Reinforcement.Skinner was a prolific author, publishing 21 books and 180 articles. He imagined the application of his ideas to the design of a human community in his 1948 utopian novel, Walden Two, while his analysis of human behavior culminated in his 1958 work, Verbal Behavior.Skinner, John B. Watson and Ivan Pavlov, are considered to be the pioneers of modern behaviorism. Accordingly, a June 2002 survey listed Skinner as the most influential psychologist of the 20th century.

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Some of their strengths

B.F. Skinner has many admirable traits.

Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Hardworking, Generous, Confident, Imaginative, Strong, Loyal, and Energetic.

Soulful and Understanding

According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, B.F. Skinner is someone who is a soulful, understanding, and conscious person, who combines smarts with a deep talent for creativity and imagination. A person who is known for being a good communicator.

Soulful and Intuitive

Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know B.F. Skinner well know them as someone who can be graceful, romantic, and reserved, like gentle rain.

Organized and Achievement-oriented

According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe B.F. Skinner as someone who is organized, goal-oriented, practical, and persevering.

Who is hardworking, intellectual, and easygoing, who loves higher education and learning and sharing ideas with others, and who loves healthy competition.

Inquisitive and Progressive

Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, B.F. Skinner is someone who is an eternal student who is always interested in learning new things, and who has a desire to shake things up and change things.

They are also someone who is patient, assertive, and who is a natural leader that likes to help others in need.

Creative and Imaginative

According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, B.F. Skinner tends to be someone who is sensitive, imaginative, creative, and somewhat of a dreamer. Who is intuitive and compassionate, and who has a friendly, easygoing, calming and relaxing effect on people and for whom friends and family mean the world.

Some of B.F. Skinner's challenges

While B.F. Skinner has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.

For example, B.F. Skinner can be Stubborn, Selfish, Indecisive, Unrealistic, Idle, Suspicious, and Callous.

Indecisive and Unrealistic

One of B.F. Skinner's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as indecisive and unrealistic.

Callous and Selfish

B.F. Skinner is someone who can be standoffish, pessimistic, and ruthless, who can have difficulty concentrating and be impatient, can have difficulty discovering the keys to personal contentment, and who can have a tendency to overwork and hoard wealth and possessions.

Lethargic and Unrealistic

Finally, B.F. Skinner also can be too soft, lazy and lethargic, and who can have difficulty finding others who share a similarly dreamy outlook on life.

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