October 2010
4 posts
1 tag
The Problem With Punishment
Punishment is the most misunderstood and misused procedure in society management of others’ behaviours. We are a society that tends to gravitate towards ‘punishing’ other’s wrong-doings (e.g., jail, demerit point system, being sent to the principal’s office). Its misuse is a source of frustration for me because when ‘punishment’ fails, people are quick...
1 tag
Feelings. Nothing More Than Feelings (Part II)
So, we know that feelings are not the causes for behaviour. It can be quickly assumed that behaviourist thus ignore their existence. I’m not here to take feelings away from you; rather, lets think about their existence as a byproduct of a consequence. We’re happy when we have received or are in the presence of a preferred item, activity or outcome. That could be getting a hug,...
2 tags
Feelings. Nothing More Than Feelings
If this were one of Skinner’s pigeons, it probably should read ‘The Pigeon Has Private Events Which He’s Made Public Through Verbal Behaviours of Reporting His Feelings As Well As By His Behaviour Seen Here: Crossing of the Arms’. Yes, pigeons (and humans) have feelings. Enter behaviourism myth #1: behaviourism does not explain or fails to account for feelings. ...
1 tag
A Behaviourist is Born
I often reflect back on how I came to identify myself as a behaviourist. How did I come to embrace this field of study and apply it to everyday life? I remember as a child I didn’t say much, but I watched. I watched what everyone was doing and I listened to what everyone was saying. I tried to put meaning behind what I was seeing and hearing to then guess how I should fit in. How should...
