Discovering Psychology
Discovering Psychology
7th Edition
ISBN: 9781464171055
Author: Sandra E. Hockenbury, Susan A. Nolan, Don H. Hockenbury
Publisher: Worth Publishers
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Chapter 5, Problem 1CTQ-204
Summary Introduction

Concept introduction

Skinner proposed that individual behavior, and society as a whole, could be designed and controled using the principles of operant conditioning (i.e., reinforcements and punishments).

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There are both pros and cons to consider when imagining a Skinner society. To Skinner, the ability to control human behavior by controlling the environment would lead to a future filled with happy citizens and socially desirable outcomes. Such a society could be safer, cleaner, and more productive. Individuals in Skinner’s society could be more educated, charitable, kind, and motivated to achieve the same goals. The harmful notions of racism and sexism could be eliminated by punishing these ideas and reinforcing the ideals of human equality. Additionally, stigmatization of certain individuals, for example substance users, could be reduced or even eliminated if society viewed the environment as the problem, rather than assigning personal blame to these individuals. At the same time, however, it is also important to consider the potential costs of such a society. Individualism may become limited, if everyone is conditioned to believe in and work toward the same ideals. Additionally, who would decide on what gets reinforced or punished? Creating “universal” ideals could lead to totalitarian control, with society being controlled by a few people in power. Additionally, in a world defined by operant conditioning, people may develop a sort of apathy, or learned helplessness, if they believe that they have no power over their lives and that it is their environment that defines them. This lack of personal responsibility may be damaging to individuals’ sense of identity and their motivation. In this thought experiment, there are both positive and negative possibilities to consider at both the level of society and the individual.

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Excerpt from The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus: Part II written by Christopher Marlowe FAUSTUS. Settle thy studies, Faustus, and begin To sound the depth of that thou wilt profess: Having commenc’d, be a divine in shew, Yet level at the end of every art, And live and die in Aristotle’s works. Sweet Analytics, ‘tis thou hast ravish’d me! Bene disserere est finis logices. Is, to dispute well, logic’s chiefest end? Affords this art no greater miracle? Then read no more; thou hast attain’d that end: A greater subject fitteth Faustus’ wit: Bid Economy farewell, and Galen come, Seeing, Ubi desinit philosophus, ibi incipit medicus: Be a physician, Faustus; heap up gold, And be eterniz’d for some wondrous cure: Summum bonum medicinae sanitas, The end of physic is our body’s health. Why, Faustus, hast thou not attain’d that end? Is not thy common talk found aphorisms? Are not thy bills hung up as monuments, Whereby whole cities have escap’d the plague, And thousand desperate maladies been…
Share AB You said: Excerpt from The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus: Part II written by Christopher Marlowe FAUSTUS. Settle thy studies, Faustus, and begin To sound the depth of that thou wilt profess: Having commenc’d, be a divine in shew, Yet level at the end of every art, And live and die in Aristotle’s works. Sweet Analytics, ‘tis thou hast ravish’d me! Bene disserere est finis logices. Is, to dispute well, logic’s chiefest end? Affords this art no greater miracle? Then read no more; thou hast attain’d that end: A greater subject fitteth Faustus’ wit: Bid Economy farewell, and Galen come, Seeing, Ubi desinit philosophus, ibi incipit medicus: Be a physician, Faustus; heap up gold, And be eterniz’d for some wondrous cure: Summum bonum medicinae sanitas, The end of physic is our body’s health. Why, Faustus, hast thou not attain’d that end? Is not thy common talk found aphorisms? Are not thy bills hung up as monuments, Whereby whole cities have escap’d the…
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