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Needs (Murray, 1938) and state-variables (Skinner, 1938).

P E Meehl1

  • 1University of Minnesota.

Psychological Reports
|April 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary

B.F. Skinner’s drive concept aligns with Murray’s needs, challenging behaviorism’s focus on external stimuli. Motivation, not just environmental cues, significantly influences behavior, especially in humans with complex reinforcement schedules.

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Psychology
  • Psychodynamic Theory
  • Philosophy of Science

Background:

  • B.F. Skinner's concept of drive as a state-variable closely parallels Henry Murray's concept of need.
  • Operant behaviorism often prioritizes stimulus control over motivation, partly due to limitations in Skinner box research parameters.
  • Skinner's early interest in internal psychological events and translating psychodynamic ideas into behaviorist terms was overshadowed by his philosophy of science.

Discussion:

  • The study critically examines the role of motivation in operant behavior, particularly in human adults exposed to complex reinforcement schedules.
  • It highlights how the 'regnant motive' significantly influences response selection, contradicting a purely stimulus-response model.
  • The paper suggests that Skinner's philosophical stance on behaviorism obscured his deeper engagement with internal psychological states.

Key Insights:

  • Drive and need concepts in psychology are more aligned than commonly perceived.
  • Motivation plays a crucial role in operant conditioning, especially in humans.
  • Skinner's work may have deeper implications for understanding internal psychological events than his public philosophy suggested.

Outlook:

  • Further research into the parameters of Skinner box studies is needed to fully understand motivation's role.
  • Exploring the integration of psychodynamic concepts within modern behaviorism could yield new insights.
  • Re-evaluating Skinner's contributions may reveal a more nuanced understanding of his theoretical framework.

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