We have seen that in certain respects operant reinforcement resembles the natural selection of evolutionary theory. Just as genetic characteristics which arise as mutations are selected or discarded by their consequences, so novel forms of behavior are selected or discarded through reinforcement.
B. F. SKINNERProblem-solving typically involves the construction of discriminative stimuli
More B. F. Skinner Quotes
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…not everyone is willing to defend a position of ‘not knowing.’ There is no virtue in ignorance for its own sake.
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A first principle not formally recognized by scientific methodologists: when you run into something interesting, drop everything else and study it.
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If freedom is a requisite for human happiness, then all that’s necessary is to provide the illusion of freedom.
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A scientist may not be sure of the answer, but he’s often sure he can find one. And that’s a condition which is clearly not enjoyed by philosophy.
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Men build society and society builds men.
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A first principle not formally recognized by scientific methodologists: when you run into something interesting, drop everything else and study it.
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A child who has been severely punished for sex play is not necessarily less inclined to continue; and a man who has been imprisoned for violent assault is not necessarily less inclined toward violence.
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What is love except another name for the use of positive reinforcement? Or vice versa.
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Somehow people get the idea I think we should be given gumdrops whenever we do anything of value.
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If the world is to save any part of its resources for the future, it must reduce not only consumption but the number of consumers.
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Behavior is determined by its consequences.
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It is not a question of starting. The start has been made. It’s a question of what’s to be done from now on.
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The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.
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Something doing every minute’ may be a gesture of despair-or the height of a battle against boredom.
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At this very moment enormous numbers of intelligent men and women of goodwill are trying to build a better world. But problems are born faster than they can be solved.
B. F. SKINNER