Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Behaviorism

Behaviorism

The field of behaviorism was pioneered by figures such as Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner fundamentally shifted the focus of psychology to the observable and controllable aspects of human and animal behavior. This shift marked a critical evolution in the discipline, emphasizing scientific rigor and experimental methodology.
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...

Law of Effect

Law of Effect

B.F. Skinner, a prominent figure in behavioral psychology, introduced operant conditioning by emphasizing the role of consequences in shaping behavior. This theory builds upon the law of effect proposed by Edward Thorndike, which posits that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are likely to be repeated. In contrast, those followed by unsatisfying outcomes are less likely to recur.
Edward Thorndike's foundational work involved studying learning in animals, particularly using puzzle boxes...

The Behavioral Perspective on Personality

The Behavioral Perspective on Personality

Behaviorists view personality as primarily shaped by environmental reinforcements and consequences. According to this perspective, behavior is influenced by external stimuli, and individuals adjust their actions based on rewards and punishments. Over time, learning histories — accumulated patterns of reinforcement — play a significant role in shaping personality. Behaviors that lead to positive outcomes are reinforced, while those resulting in negative outcomes are diminished. Radical...

Instinctive Drift

Instinctive Drift

Instinctive drift refers to the tendency of animals to revert to their innate behaviors despite repeated reinforcement. Breland and Breland demonstrated this concept in an experiment with a raccoon. The raccoon was trained to pick up two coins and place them in a container in exchange for food. Initially, the raccoon learned to associate the coins with food, making them a conditioned stimulus or a substitute for food. However, over time, the raccoon became less willing to put the coins into the...

The Stanford Prison Experiment

The Stanford Prison Experiment

The famous and controversial Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted by social psychologist Philip Zimbardo and his colleagues at Stanford University, demonstrated the power of social roles, social norms, and scripts.

Naturalistic Observations

Naturalistic Observations

If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Persistently ambiguous: a taxometric investigation on two groups of suicidal ideation indicators.

Frontiers in psychology·2026

Same author

Assessing the Validity of the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 as a Measure of HiTOP Spectra: Identifying the Optimal Placement of the Anankastia Factor.

Scandinavian journal of psychology·2025

Same author

Recreational MDMA use in Norway: results from an internet convenience sample.

Frontiers in psychiatry·2025

Same author

Contextual and experiential aspects of the psychedelic experience predicting improvement in subjective wellbeing: results from a Norwegian internet convenience sample.

Frontiers in pharmacology·2025

Same author

Comparing NIRA and Traditional Network Approaches: A Study Case With Antisocial Personality Disorder Traits.

Journal of personality·2024

Same author

Epidemiology of classic psychedelic substances: results from a Norwegian internet convenience sample.

Frontiers in psychiatry·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats

Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats

Published on: March 17, 2019

Under Skinner's skin: gauging a behaviorist from his Rorschach protocol.

Cato Grønnerød¹, Geir Overskeid, Ellen Hartmann

¹Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway. cato.gronnerod@psykomatikk.no

Journal of Personality Assessment

|June 27, 2012

Summary

Behaviorism and psychodynamic psychology are often seen as opposites. However, B.F. Skinner showed interest in Freudian concepts and underwent psychological testing, revealing traits of simplicity and strained relationships, not creativity.

More Related Videos

Modeling Verbal Behavior Deficits with the Stimulus Control Ratio Equation, SCoRE

Modeling Verbal Behavior Deficits with the Stimulus Control Ratio Equation, SCoRE

Published on: May 14, 2019

A System for Tracking the Dynamics of Social Preference Behavior in Small Rodents

A System for Tracking the Dynamics of Social Preference Behavior in Small Rodents

Published on: November 21, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats

Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats

Published on: March 17, 2019

Modeling Verbal Behavior Deficits with the Stimulus Control Ratio Equation, SCoRE

Modeling Verbal Behavior Deficits with the Stimulus Control Ratio Equation, SCoRE

Published on: May 14, 2019

A System for Tracking the Dynamics of Social Preference Behavior in Small Rodents

A System for Tracking the Dynamics of Social Preference Behavior in Small Rodents

Published on: November 21, 2019

Area of Science:

Psychology
Behaviorism
Psychodynamic Psychology

Background:

Behaviorism and psychodynamic psychology are historically viewed as opposing theoretical frameworks.
B. F. Skinner, a prominent behaviorist, engaged with Freudian concepts and participated in psychological assessments.
Anne Roe's 1953 study of scientists included Skinner's responses to the Rorschach and Thematic Apperception Tests.

Discussion:

Skinner's test responses were analyzed for creativity, defined by complexity, emotional tone, novelty, and liveliness.
His responses were characterized by simplicity, intellectualization, a driven quality, and a lack of liveliness.
These findings align with Roe's observations of other scientists in her study.
Skinner's intellectual productivity and ambition are consistent with his historical persona.

Key Insights:

B. F. Skinner's psychological profile, assessed via projective tests, revealed traits divergent from typical creativity markers.
The study challenges the notion of strict opposition between behaviorism and psychodynamic psychology by examining a key behaviorist figure through psychodynamic tools.
Skinner's responses indicated a preference for intellectualized simplicity over emotional complexity and novelty.

Outlook:

Further research could explore the psychological profiles of other influential figures across different scientific disciplines.
Investigating the interplay between theoretical orientation and psychological characteristics in scientists may offer new insights.
This analysis provides a unique lens into the personality of a foundational behaviorist, bridging psychological perspectives.