Description:
Hardback. Appleton-Century Crofts, 1969.
Skinner argued that education has two major purposes: to teach repertoires of both verbal and nonverbal behavior; and to interest students in learning. He recommended bringing students' behavior under appropriate control by providing reinforcement only in the presence of stimuli relevant to the learning task. Because he believed that human behavior can be affected by small consequences, something as simple as the opportunity to move forward after completing one stage of an activity can be an effective reinforcer. Skinner was convinced that, to learn, a student must engage in behavior, and not just passively receive information.