fei75766_ch16_495-533.indd 528  02/06/20 01:34 PM
Part VI    Learning-Cognitive Theories528
Research onreinforcement sensitivity helps usseethatallpeople donot
respond toreinforcers inthesame way.Ourbasic temperaments arekeymechanisms 
thatmoderate theeffects ofreinforcers. Inturn, ourhabitual responses orsensitivi -
tiestoreinforcements solidify intopersonality qualities thatcome todefine us.More 
research issuretoemerge from within thisparadigm thatwillfurther ourunderstand -
ingofthemutual relationship between personality andconditioning. 
Critique of Skinner
Themaverick psychologist Hans J.Eysenck (1988) once criticized Skinner forignor -
ingsuchconcepts asindividual differences, intelligence, genetic factors, andthe
whole realm ofpersonality. These claims areonlypartly true,because Skinner did
recognize genetic factors, andhedidoffer asomewhat unenthusiastic definition of
personality, saying thatitis“atbestarepertoire ofbehavior imparted byanorganized 
setofcontingencies” (Skinner, 1974, p.149). How doesSkinner’s theory meet thesix
criteria ofauseful theory? 
First, because thetheory hasspawned agreat quantity ofresearch, weratethe
theory veryhighonitsability togenerate research. Second, most ofSkinner’s ideas 
canbeeither falsified orverified, soweratethetheory highonfalsifiability. 
Third, onitsability toorganize all that is known about human personality, we
givethetheory onlyamoderate rating. Skinner’s approach wastodescribe behavior 
andtheenvironmental contingencies under which ittakes place. Hispurpose wasto
bring together these descriptive factsandtogeneralize from them. Many personality 
traits, suchasthose oftheFive-Factor Model, canbeaccounted forbytheprinciples 
ofoperant conditioning. However, other concepts suchasinsight, creativity, moti-
vation, inspiration, andself-efficacy donotfiteasily intoanoperant conditioning 
framework.
Fourth, asaguide to action, werateSkinner’s theory veryhigh. Theabun -
dance ofdescriptive research turned outbySkinner andhisfollowers hasmade 
operant conditioning anextremely practical procedure. Forexample, Skinnerian 
techniques have been usedtohelpphobic patients overcome their fears, toenhance 
compliance tomedical recommendations, tohelppeople overcome tobacco and
drugaddictions, toimprove eating habits, andtoincrease assertiveness. Infact,
Skinnerian theory canbeapplied toalmost allareas oftraining, teaching, and
psychotherapy. 
Thefifthcriterion ofauseful theory is internal consistency, andjudged bythis
standard, werateSkinnerian theory veryhigh. Skinner defined histerms precisely 
andoperationally, aprocess greatly aided bytheavoidance offictionalized mentalis -
ticconcepts. 
Isthetheory parsimonious? Onthisfinalcriterion, Skinner’s theory isdifficult 
torate.Ononehand, thetheory isfreefrom cumbersome hypothetical constructs, 
but,ontheother hand ,itdemands anovel expression ofeveryday phrases. Forexam -
ple,instead ofsaying, “Igotsomadatmyhusband, Ithrew adishathim,butmissed,” 
aSkinnerian behaviorist would say,“The contingencies ofreinforcement within my
environment werearranged insuchamanner thatIobserved myorganism throwing 
adishagainst thekitchen wall.”Final PDF to printer