The Goal of B. F. Skinner and Behavior Analysis

by Robert W. Proctor, Daniel J. Weeks

Overview

In this new volume in Springer-Verlag's series "Recent Research in Psychology", Drs. Proctor and Weeks examine what has long been a "self-asserted superiority" of behavior analysts and Skinnerian researchers. Most behavior-analytic views derive from the philosophy of radical behaviorism, as conceived by B.F. Skinner, and prescribe a "world view" where environmental contingencies determine all aspects of behavior. This view necessarily assumes all other views to be inferior because of its world view, hence, those subscribing to behavior analysis will tolerate no other theory. The Goal of B.F. Skinner and Behavior Analysis examines closely the rationale behind the Skinnerian philosophy, challenging its validity through the author's own research.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780387972367
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	04/02/1990
Series:	Recent Research in Psychology
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1990
Pages:	223
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.02(d)

Table of Contents

I What Is the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, and Why Has It Not Become Psychology?.- 1 B. F. Skinner and Behavior Analysis.- 2 The Three Obstacles.- 3 Contemporary Scientific Psychology.- II Relation of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior to Psychology, Science, and Pseudoscience.- 4 Relation to Psychology.- 5 Relation to Science.- 6 Relation to Pseudoscience.- III Implications and Future Prospects.- 7 The Paradox of Behavior Analysis.- 8 The Future of Behavior Analysis.- 9 The Future of Psychology.- References.

Editorial Reviews

This volume plays out a fascinating little revenge fantasy. Proctor (Purdue U.) and Weeks (Lakehead U., Thunder Bay, Ontario) were members (once) of a psychology department increasingly dominated and tyrannized by Skinnerian analysts. Unable to defend their departmental turf, they've taken the attack to the opposition, preaching a theme of the failure of the experimental analysis of behavior (behaviorism) to become the predominant approach in psychology. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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