About Behaviorism, Chapter 1: The Causes of Behavior?, Quote 17

Post author:B. F. Skinner Foundation
Post published:February 10, 2017
Post category:Skinner's Quote of the Day

“To spend much time on exact redefinition of consciousness, will, wishes, sublimation, and so on would be as unwise as for physicists to do the same for ether, phlogiston, or vis viva.” (21)

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From now through August 31, the paperback edition of Verbal Behavior: Extended Edition is just $15 in the B. F. Skinner Foundation's bookstore.

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For a deep dive into the Skinnerian approach to verbal behavior and its everyday applications, please register for the Fall 2026 Skinner Session. The online event, titled Verbal Behavior in Action, will take place on October 23, 2026. It features a talk from Andre Anderson, who will examine, in his unique way, "how principles from B. F. Skinner’s Verbal Behavior can be applied to spoken word poetry to promote sustainable behavior change" (1.5 CEUs). Dave Palmer and David Roth will discuss Skinner's 1967 seminar on verbal behavior from recently discovered audiotapes (1.5 CEUs). Last but not least, Emily Kerwin with lead the panel discussion with clinicians using Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior across a variety of service settings (1.5 CEUs). Sign up now to enjoy the early bird special pricing when you register for all three!

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An Online Edition of The Analysis of Behavior by Holland & Skinner is now available free of charge! Imagine being taught at Harvard by B. F. Skinner! In a sense, that is what this course provides. In collaboration with Behavior Development Solutions (BDS), the B. F. Skinner Foundation is glad to bring to the new generation this programmed instruction course, developed by Drs. Holland and Skinner, to teach basic terms and principles of behavior analysis. Originally designed for use in a mechanical teaching machine, early steps in the sequence prepare you for later, more advanced material. It takes the student through a carefully prepared sequence of steps and it brings textual responding under appropriate stimulus control. That is, rather than selecting a response, the learner types it (just as one does under natural stimulus conditions). No other online course fully embodies the methodology developed by Skinner. In addition to the free version, students of behavioral analysis can sign up for a 4-part, 24 CEUs course.

SKINNER'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

“To spend much time on exact redefinition of consciousness, will, wishes, sublimation, and so on would be as unwise as for physicists to do the same for ether, phlogiston, or vis viva.” (21)

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