B.F. Skinner

1904–1990, USA

American psychologist, leading figure in radical behaviorism. Developed the concept of operant conditioning.

Books

  • Walden Two (1948)

    Utopian novel where Skinner imagines a community designed on behaviorist principles, where operant conditioning creates a harmonious society.

  • Beyond Freedom and Dignity (1971)

    Skinner argues that concepts of freedom and dignity hinder the development of a science of behavior and effective social engineering.

Experiments