fei75766_ch16_495-533.indd 498  02/06/20 01:34 PM
Part VI    Learning-Cognitive Theories498
Asanenvironmentalist, Skinner heldthatpsychology must notexplain behavior 
onthebasis ofthephysiological orconstitutional components oftheorganism but
rather onthebasis ofenvironmental stimuli. Herecognized thatgenetic factors are
important, butheinsisted that,because theyarefixed atconception, theyareofno
helpinthecontrol ofbehavior. Thehistory oftheindividual, rather thananatomy, 
provides themost useful dataforpredicting andcontrolling behavior.
Watson tookradical behaviorism, determinism, andenvironmental forces 
beyond Skinner’s conception byignoring genetic factors completely andpromising 
toshape personality bycontrolling theenvironment. Inafamous lecture, Watson 
(1926) made thisextraordinary promise:
Give meadozen healthy infants, well-formed, andmyownspecified world tobring 
them upinandI’llguarantee totakeanyoneatrandom andtrainhimtobecome 
anytypeofspecialist Imight select—a doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief, and,
yes,evenintobeggar-man andthief, regardless ofhistalents, penchants, tendencies, 
abilities, vocations, andraceofhisancestors. (p.10)
Although fewradical behaviorists currently accept thisextreme position, Wat-
son’s promise hasledtomuch discussion anddebate.
Biography of B. F. Skinner
Burrhus Frederic Skinner wasbornonMarch 20,1904, inSusquehanna, Pennsylvania, 
thefirstchild ofWilliam Skinner andGrace Mange Burrhus Skinner. Hisfather was
alawyer andanaspiring politician while hismother stayed home tocarefortheir
twochildren. Skinner grew upinacomfortable, happy, upper middle-class home 
where hisparents practiced thevalues oftemperance, service, honesty, andhard
work. TheSkinners were Presbyterian, butFred (hewasalmost never called Burrhus 
orB.F.)began tolosehisfaithduring highschool andthereafter never practiced 
anyreligion.
When Skinner was21/2years old,asecond son,Edward, wasborn. Fred felt
thatEbbie (ashewasknown) wasloved more bybothparents, yethedidnotfeel
unloved. Hewassimply more independent andlessemotionally attached tohis
mother andfather. ButafterEbbie diedsuddenly during Skinner’s firstyearatcol-
lege,theparents became progressively lesswilling tolettheirolder songo.They 
wanted himtobecome “thefamily boy”andindeed succeeded inkeeping himfinan -
cially obligated evenafterB.F.Skinner became awell-known name inAmerican 
psychology (Skinner, 1979; Wiener, 1996). 
Asachild, Skinner wasinclined toward music andliterature. From anearly 
age,hewasinterested inbecoming aprofessional writer, agoalhemayhaveachieved 
withhispublication ofWalden Two when hewaswellintohis40s.
Atabout thetimeSkinner finished highschool, hisfamily moved about 30
miles toScranton, Pennsylvania. Almost immediately, however, Skinner entered 
Hamilton College, aliberal artsschool inClinton, NewYork. After taking hisbach -
elor’s degree inEnglish, Skinner setabout torealize hisambition ofbeing acre-
ative writer. When hewrote tohisfather, informing himofhiswishtospend a
yearathome working atnothing except writing, hisrequest wasmetwithlukewarm 
acceptance. Warning hissonofthenecessity ofmaking aliving, William Skinner Final PDF to printer