Describe the controversy over Skinner’s views of human behavior, and identify some ways to apply operant conditioning principles at school, at work, and at home.

Skinner’s theory was based on the view that human behavior is dependent on the quality of consequences that follow. The controversy of the psychologist’s theory is related to Skinner’s simplistic approach to understanding the roots and causes of such a complex process as forming of behavior.

Although the theorist acknowledged complex mental processes, the core of his ideas was in the belief that behavior is merely a response to influences. Applying operant conditioning principles at school might include giving high grades for good performance and low grades for bad performance in class. At work, employees’ accomplishments might be rewarded with money, and underperformance might be punished with fines. At home, children’s chore completion might be rewarded with pocket money, and failure to do so might be followed by deprivation of toys.

Answer by Academic.tip's expert
An answer to this question is provided by one of our experts who specializes in philosophy. Let us know how much you liked it and give it a rating.

Cite this page

Select a citation style:

References

Academic.Tips. (2022) 'Describe the controversy over Skinner's views of human behavior, and identify some ways to apply operant conditioning principles at school, at work, and at home'. 26 October.

Reference

Academic.Tips. (2022, October 26). Describe the controversy over Skinner's views of human behavior, and identify some ways to apply operant conditioning principles at school, at work, and at home. https://academic.tips/question/describe-the-controversy-over-skinners-views-of-human-behavior-and-identify-some-ways-to-apply-operant-conditioning-principles-at-school-at-work-and-at-home/

References

Academic.Tips. 2022. "Describe the controversy over Skinner's views of human behavior, and identify some ways to apply operant conditioning principles at school, at work, and at home." October 26, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/describe-the-controversy-over-skinners-views-of-human-behavior-and-identify-some-ways-to-apply-operant-conditioning-principles-at-school-at-work-and-at-home/.

1. Academic.Tips. "Describe the controversy over Skinner's views of human behavior, and identify some ways to apply operant conditioning principles at school, at work, and at home." October 26, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/describe-the-controversy-over-skinners-views-of-human-behavior-and-identify-some-ways-to-apply-operant-conditioning-principles-at-school-at-work-and-at-home/.


Bibliography


Academic.Tips. "Describe the controversy over Skinner's views of human behavior, and identify some ways to apply operant conditioning principles at school, at work, and at home." October 26, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/describe-the-controversy-over-skinners-views-of-human-behavior-and-identify-some-ways-to-apply-operant-conditioning-principles-at-school-at-work-and-at-home/.

Work Cited

"Describe the controversy over Skinner's views of human behavior, and identify some ways to apply operant conditioning principles at school, at work, and at home." Academic.Tips, 26 Oct. 2022, academic.tips/question/describe-the-controversy-over-skinners-views-of-human-behavior-and-identify-some-ways-to-apply-operant-conditioning-principles-at-school-at-work-and-at-home/.

Copy