Background on B.F. Skinner

Burrus Frederic Skinner (B.F. Skinner) was an American psychologist best known for his extensive research into the learning process and his strong belief in a planned society. B.F. Skinner was born on March 20, 1904 in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Hamilton College in 1926 he became fascinated in the work of some famous behavioral psychologists. In 1931, Skinner received his P.h.D. in psychology from Harvard. He then spent several years examining how animals learn and the functions of the central nervous system. Shortly after, Skinner was involved in Project Pigeon during World War II. In 1936, Skinner married Yvonne Blue. They had two daughters. The second child, Deborah became well known because she spent the first two years of her life in Skinner's famous "baby box." In 1945, Skinner became chairman of the Department of Psychology at Indiana University. He then joined the Department of Psychology at Harvard in 1948 and had the privilege of studying with many exceptional graduates. In 1953, after visiting one his daughters fourth grade classrooms Skinner started to develop teaching machines and programmed instruction. Skinner published many books including the fictional book Walden II. Skinner also wrote several professional articles and three autobiographical volumes. Sadly, in 1989 he was diagnosed with leukemia and died a year later on August 18, 1990.