B. F. Skinner - Fact Quotes

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Any single historical event is too complex to be adequately known by anyone. It transcends all the intellectual capacities of men. Our practice is to wait until a sufficient number of details have been forgotten. Of course things seem simpler then! Our memories work that way; we retain the facts which are easiest to think about.

B. F. Skinner

It is a surprising fact that those who object most violently to the manipulation of behaviour nevertheless make the most vigorous effort to manipulate minds.

B. F. Skinner

The one fact that I would cry from every housetop is this: the Good Life is waiting for us—here and now!... At this very moment we have the necessary techniques, both material and psychological, to create a full and satisfying life for everyone.

B. F. Skinner

The strengthening of behavior which results from reinforcement is appropriately called "conditioning". In operant conditioning we "strengthen" an operant in the sense of making a response more probable or, in actual fact, more frequent.

B. F. Skinner

Science is a willingness to accept facts even when they are opposed to wishes.

B. F. Skinner

An important fact about verbal behavior is that speaker and listener may reside within the same skin.

B. F. Skinner