"Science is not concerned just with 'getting the facts' after which one may act with greater wisdom in unscientific fashion. Science supplies its own wisdom. It leads to a new conception of a subject matter, a new way of thinking about that part of the world to which it has addressed itself. If we are to enjoy the advantages of science in the field of human affairs we must be prepared to adopt the working model of behavior to which a science will inevitably lead."
In this article, I outline my reasons for adopting 'the whole and intact organism' as 'the working model of behavior' to which an extended science will inevitably lead.
Normal
Though drawn to Skinner's vision of science and human behavior, I feel uneasy if I surmise truth could bring unhappiness. In such cases, I just might prefer a Fool's Paradise.Be that as it may, my remarkable, 3-dimensional, records showed:
reinforcement stops and accelerates movement at one and the same moment.
No amount of scholarship could have prepared me for that. The facts were there:
rats do stop moving when pushing a lever but the sentence doesn't make sense.
I was nonplussed even when seeing it happening wherever I went: on the street, in the cinema, library, restaurant, people walk and also stop; eat and drink; sit and read; watch a movie; stand gazing or pointing at items in a shop window ... Finally, bingo!
I was looking at people! Reinforcement affects body-part movements and individuals.
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A turning point in my personal and professional life. I had come to KU for a Ph.D.
Out of the blue, this was impossible. I knew it was a matter for further research ... which
would lead to conceptual shifts ... a breakthrough with respect to 'feelings as public events'.
I am still sure radical behaviorists could enjoy thinking themselves through this.
Though finding just the right words to convince them, is a different kettle of fish.
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