Which of the following statements is true of the American psychologist B. F. Skinner?
A) He theorized that one's accomplishments are due to personal traits, such as curiosity.
B) He stated that free will is an illusion because we are shaped by our environment and genes.
C) He established that one's accomplishments are due to mental events, such as motivation.
D) He argued that it would be unethical to try to improve human behaviour by applying behavioural principles.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

B. F. Skinner believed that free will is an illusion and that behavior is shaped by our environment and genes, a concept known as operant conditioning. He believed that all behavior, including human behavior, is determined by a person's past history of conditioning and reinforcement, rather than personal traits or mental events. Skinner also advocated for the use of behavioral principles to improve human behavior, but he emphasized the importance of ethical considerations in doing so.

Which of the Following Statements Is True of the American