Science and Human Behavior as a system of psychology: Understanding the book by its structure

Authors

  • Carolina Laurenti
  • Carlos Eduardo Lopes

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18761/shb017023n

Keywords:

Science and human behavior, Skinner, Behavior Analysis

Abstract

Science and Human Behavior (S&HB), published in 1953, was initially written by
B. F. Skinner to assist him in his classes for undergraduates at Harvard. At the time of publication,
reviews of the book considered the work a “new psychology” and a well-finished
portrait of Skinner’s scientific system. This year, S&HB celebrates its 70th anniversary, which
may suggest that the book is dated. This paper argues that reading S&HB can still be helpful,
even for behavior analysts. To support this thesis, we will discuss the need for a comprehensive
reading of that book, respecting its systemic and recursive structure. Through that strategy,
we highlight some characteristics of Skinner’s proposal that teaching and research in Behavior
Analysis should have paid more attention to.

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Published

2023-12-20

How to Cite

Laurenti, C. ., & Lopes, C. E. (2023). Science and Human Behavior as a system of psychology: Understanding the book by its structure. Perspectivas Em Análise Do Comportamento, 14(2), 076–089. https://doi.org/10.18761/shb017023n

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (2023): v. 14 n. 2 (2023) & Special Issue: Science and Human Behavior at Seventy

Section

Artigos

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