‘The authors provide a concise overview of the basic principles and methods used by modern behavior analysts, as well as a thorough discussion of the difference between reward and reinforcement and elicited and emitted behavior.’
—THE PSYCHOLOGICAL RECORD
‘O′Donohue and Ferguson provide an exceptionally clear picture of the breadth, scientific importance, and value to society of the work of the late B.F. Skinner. They include reasons that his work has been criticized and misunderstood. A substantial index, an attractive cover and typeface, and a readable style are bonuses to this exceptionally well-researched, accurate, and fair description of Skinner′s work. All collections.’— CHOICE
In The Psychology of B. F. Skinner , William T. O′Donohue and Kyle E. Ferguson not only introduce the life of one of the most influential psychologist of the past century but also put that life into historical and philosophical context. In so doing, they illuminate Skinner′s contributions to psychology, his philosophy of science, his experimental research program, and the behavioral principles and applied aspects that emerged from it. They also rebut criticism of Skinner′s work, including radical behaviorism, and discuss key developments others have derived from it.
Behaviorists, or more precisely Skinnerians, commonly consider Skinner′s work to have been misrepresented, misunderstood, and, to some extent, even defamed. The authors take great care in accurately representing both the strengths and the weaknesses of his positions. They also attempt to correct misinterpretations of his work. Finally, they guide students through Skinner′s theories and demonstrate their applications and usefulness via extensive examples and illustrations.
Содержание
Introduction
B F Skinner
The Man
Skinner′s Intellectual Influences
Skinner′s Philosophy of a Science of Human Behaviour
Radical Behaviorism
Operant Conditioning and the Experimental Analysis of Behaviour
Skinner on Cognition
Skinner on Language
Applied Behavior Analysis
B F Skinner
Expert Self-Manager
Skinner′s Views on Bettering Society
Criticisms of Skinner
Skinner′s Legacy
B F Skinner′s Published Works
Об авторе
Kyle E. Ferguson is pursuing his Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno. He received a master′s degree in behavior analysis from Southern Illinois University and a bachelor′s degree from the University of Alberta. He coauthored a previous book, Working Through Anger, and two manuals, Working Through Anger: Therapist′s Manual and A Practitioner′s Guide to Behavioral-Medical Interventions. He coauthored the recent Sage book, The Psychology of B.F. Skinner (2001) with William O′Donohue.