B.F. Skinner believed in operant conditioning. He felt that a person is more likely to repeat a behavior if the consequences are positive. Therefore, he suggested that children should be reinforced, or rewarded for learning. In order to test his theories, Skinner experimented with pigeons. When the pigeons performed the desired task, they were rewarded with food. 

          Please see the video below to learn more.

 

For more information regarding B. F. Skinner's pigeon experiment, please go to

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/bhskin.html

 

 

B.F. Skinner

 

Burrhus Fredrick Skinner was born in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania on March 20, 1904. As a small boy, Skinner enjoyed inventing things and writing poetry. He graduated from Hamilton College with the intention of becoming a writer. However, after reading the works of Watson and Pavlov, Skinner developed an interest in psychology. He received his PhD from Harvard University in 1931. Skinner returned to Harvard as a Professor in 1948 and retired in 1974. The American Psychological Association gave B.F. Skinner the first Citation for Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Psychology. Skinner died from leukemia on August 18, 1990.

 

 

 B.F. Skinner believed that behavior is shaped as a result of consequences. Skinner did a lot of research, inventing, and writing that has greatly impacted our system of education today.

 

Please watch the video below to see an interview discussing Skinner's views on education.

 

 

 

For more information on B.F. Skinner, please visit http://bfskinner.org/bfskinner/Home.html