The contribution of B. F. Skinner, an American psychologist and social philosopher, was significant in the field of psychology. The influence of his theories and professional practice can be observed in the contemporary world (Schultz and Schultz 245). In this regard, historical development and human progress can be viewed from personalistic and naturalistic perspectives. The former claims that individuals can change the course of history due to their willpower or supernatural forces. In turn, the latter states that the intellectual and social climate as well as the problems and concerns of a specific period cause changes. Skinner’s historical impact was rather a naturalistic phenomenon since his practice was largely shaped by his environment and the Zeitgeist of the 19th century.
The trends of the 1920s throughout the 1960s revolved around behaviorism and applied behaviorism. As one of the behaviorists, Skinner contributed to the naturalistic theory of philosophy (Schultz and Schultz 245). His predecessors, such as Pavlov, Watson, Freud, and Darwin, influenced his viewpoints and ideas. Behaviorism’s aspects, such as the focus on success and personal achievement as well as the philosophy of hope, particularly appealed to Skinner (Schultz and Schultz 247). Maslow, Piaget, Stanley, Bandura, Rotter, and other prominent contemporaries contributed to the tendencies and trends of Skinner’s Zeitgeist and philosophy. As a result, his Behavioral and Cognitive Theories were developed based on the idea of operant conditioning.
To summarize, the personalistic view of Skinner has merit as it defines the contribution of his practice and theories to the development of science and society. However, the evidence of the naturalistic perspective of Skinner includes the role of environmental factors and contemporary climate shaping his ideas. The Zeitgeist of his era defined the primary concerns and trends that accompanied the historical development of that particular time.
Reference
Schultz, Duane P., and Sydney Ellen Schultz. A History of Modern Psychology. 11th ed., Cengage Learning, 2015.