Skinner’s Concept of Efficient Behavior

Authors

  • Ieda Maria Bertola Mazzo UEL
  • Maura Alves Nunes Gongora Universidade Estadual de Londrina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v13i2.12270

Keywords:

B. F. Skinner, efficient behavior, reinforcement chances, cultural behavior

Abstract

This essay presents the results of an analysis of Skinnerian texts, developed with the aim of making explicit the criteria with which Skinner uses the term efficient to qualify behaviors. Some texts in which he uses this term were examined: those that deal with reinforcement contingencies, contingency planning and cultures’ survival. It was verified that Skinner tended to use the expression “efficient behavior” in reference to two themes: 1 – possibilities or chances of reinforcement and 2 – cultural behavior and cultural survival. In the first case, he uses the term to qualify: operant responses, specific operant response classes and special behavior repertoire that present more probability of producing environmental reinforcing consequences. In the second case, efficient behavior not only produces reinforcing consequences, but also socially relevant cultural consequences. It was observed that the criteria made explicit here constitute part of the arguments with which Skinner defends contingency planning as the one way of assuring the learning of efficient human behavior.

 

Keywords: B. F. Skinner; efficient behavior; reinforcement chances; cultural behavior.

Author Biographies

Ieda Maria Bertola Mazzo, UEL

Mestre em Análise do Comportamento pela Universidade Estadual de Londrina.

Maura Alves Nunes Gongora, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

 

Docente da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, atua na graduação em Psicologia e no Mestrado em Análise do Comportamento. Doutora em Psicologia clínica pela USP e pós-doutora em fundamentos do behaviorismo radical pela UFSCar.

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How to Cite

Mazzo, I. M. B., & Gongora, M. A. N. (2009). Skinner’s Concept of Efficient Behavior. Interação Em Psicologia, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v13i2.12270

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2009)

Section

Articles

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