Premium
Contingencies of reinforcement in the design of a culture
Author(s) -
Skinner B. F.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 0005-7940
DOI - 10.1002/bs.3830110302
Subject(s) - reinforcement , overpopulation , aggression , value (mathematics) , psychology , social psychology , demography , population , sociology , statistics , mathematics
Excessive eating, excessive procreation, and excessive pugnacity, according to Professor Skinner, are the results of reinforcement patterns which once had survival value and so were selected for in the process of evolution. In our day of abundance, overpopulation, and war, these reinforcement patterns are a threat. The dangers of overindulgence in food, sex, aggression, and related behaviors have been dealt with by three traditional methods. The author proposes a fourth method based on contingent reinforcement.