Project Clarification

Skinner and Behaviorism

B.F. Skinner

Considered the male parent of Behaviorism, B.F. Skinner was the Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology at Harvard from 1959 to 1974.  He completed his PhD in psychology at Harvard in 1931.  He studied the phenomenon of operant conditioning in the eponymous Skinner Box, still used today.

Quite the contrary of a neuroscientific approach, Behaviorism does not look under the hood. In its time, the theory was revolutionary because it deployed an experimental approach to the written report of psychology, in dissimilarity with the prevailing psychoanalytic approach. Under Skinner's leadership, Behaviorists subjected psychology to quantifiable and stringent measures and application of the scientific method.

Skinner was interested in how ecology feel and learning acquired modification of sure behaviors. He adult the Operant Conditioning Dove Chamber and other devices to enable him to conduct controlled experiments. Stimuli were typically in the form of rewards (positive) or punishments (negative). The experiments revealed how behaviors could exist increased with rewards or decreased with the application of punishments.

Operant conditioning pigeon chamber

Operant Conditioning Pigeon Chamber

This dual chamber was used to study the collaborative behavior of pigeons. B. F. Skinner invented this blazon of operant conditioning chamber when he was a graduate educatee at Harvard circa 1930, although his piece of work with pigeons did not begin until WWII. The apparatus became known every bit a Skinner box.

Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments (WJ1233)–ca 1950 (Image Skinner)

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bf skinner lab

Behavior Insights from Today'due south Researchers

Behavioral theories are is still practical today in Ethology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and in treatments for addiction. Meanwhile, neuroscientists are looking inside the brain to understanding the mechanisms underlying learning and beliefs.

Michael Crickmore is watching what motivation looks like in encephalon circuits.

In his lab, Benjamin DeBivort seeks answers to the question, "What underlies the behavioral differences between genetically identical individuals?"

In his lab, Florian Engert and colleagues investigate the circuitry underlying innate behaviors.

Edward Kravitz studies assailment in his lab, fondly referred to as the "Fruit Fly Fight Club".

Bence Ölvezcky'south principal interest is to notice what happens in the brain during the learning and perfecting of motor skills.