Skinner’s emphasis on objective experimentation encouraged the behaviourists to divert from Wundt’s ideas and theories, as his studies were open to subjective interpretation. Wundt studied consciousness, though conscious thought is not easily to control in an experimental situation or measure. Therefore the behaviourists moved away from his views on introspection as a means of keeping psychology a scientific based discipline.
Skinner believed in determinism which is the idea that behaviour is determined by our environment and we do not choose but many dispute Skinner’s belief in determinism and S-R psychology, due to the extensive range of behavioural responses that could be influenced by biological and genetic factors. Skinner failed to realise the role of cognitive thought processes in learning, which was a limitation of the behaviourist theories. They also dismissed the idea of free will and individual differences.
Skinner believed that environmental factors like nurture could have an effect on behaviour. The used a behaviour modification technique called the token economy. This method has been developed and used in the treatment of several disorders such as bulimia and schizophrenia. This can be used to increase a desired behaviour as a token reward is given for behaving appropriately. The tokens can be exchanged for a specified commodity of a stated value, giving purpose to the collection of tokens.
Skinner’s theories have been adopted by educational institutions such as schools. If you hear a bell ring then you know to react to it e.g. go to lessons. Other areas in which Skinners theories have been applied are in the circus and animal training facilities for the blind that need guide dogs. Operant conditioning techniques have helped the animals acquire the skills needed to fulfill their task.
Animals were used by Skinner because he was a Skinner’s theory was based on 3 consequences which either increased or decrease behaviour. The 3 consequences were positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement-both increasing behaviour and punishment, which decreased behaviour.
Skinner carried out his experimentations on animals such as the Skinner box in order to try and understand human psychology and behaviour. Skinner was a firm believer in Darwin’s theory of evolution, this leading him to believe that both animals and humans have direct connections with one another.
Many argue that humans and animals cannot be catagorised together due to the fact that they are so qualitatively biologically different. Also it can be argued that the behaviour of laboratory animals cannot be compared to humans with much solid proof.
Skinner loathed the use of punishers and he argued their undesirable side effects were often worse than the actual behaviour that was to be reduced. Skinner's dependent variable was usually the frequency or rate of responding, not the errors that were made or the time at which it took. Skinner’s theory suggests that behaviour is a function of its consequences, this derived from the theory of reinforcement and punishment, which increases or decreases a specific type of behaviour e.g. talking calmly rather than irrational shouting.
Skinner has been an influential participant in the development as even today his ideas are being adopted by other psychologists in order to develop a theory further. If it were not for Skinner the world would not be as functional as it is at this present day. Educational institutes embrace Skinners methods seriously and applied them to everyday life which has helped in their progression and operation.
Although many other groups wished to criticise Skinners methods, it is obvious that he did more active and vital developments than negative ones for psychology.
