Behavior Curious: On Releasing Anger
A story from B.F. Skinner's autobiography, on releasing anger
Hi readers, this sub-publication of Everyday Behaviorist, Behavior Curious, is devoted to pieces about radical behaviorism and behavior analysis for laypersons of any background — or behaviorists interested in talking to laypersons. Specifically, I am working toward a layfriendly book on the philosophy of radical behaviorism. (I may have added you to this mailing list based on what I know of your interest; it won’t mean many more emails from me!) The pieces here are more “teach-y” than those of my main publication, Everyday Behaviorist, which houses memoir, poetry, fiction, and prose — hence the separate mailing list — and they are much lower rate. Thanks for reading, subscribing, and/or engaging!
Today, I’m sharing a story from B.F. Skinner’s autobiography. It was also shared last week on Facebook, by the B.F. Skinner Foundation — whom I’ve encouraged to join Substack (and volunteered to assist), so please let them know you’d be interested, too!
The story, by B.F. Skinner himself, is about how taking a contextual view of behavior can help us release anger in everyday situations. It illusrates how radical behaviorism is not only a philosophy of science, it’s a worldview, accessible at any given moment.
Quote from B.F. Skinner’s Autobiography1
“I was in the front line as the Waverley car pulled into loading position in the Harvard subway.
The motorman was facing away from the door talking to another motorman. The door did not open. I thought it might be stuck and pulled at the rubber bumper. The door snapped closed with a bang.
The motorman turned in a rage, opened the door, and cried, “All right, all right, you’ll get on.”
I was instantly furious and said, “The doors often stick.”
I sat down, boiling, and fantasied revenge. Should I ask him for his number and report him?
Then I began to wonder about his behavior. He was tired, the weather was bad, traffic was tied up by snow. It also occurred to me that he had thought I had rapped loudly on the door.
When it came time to get off I went forward and said quietly, “Next stop, please.”
He turned with a sheepish grin and apologized. He had not been sure which route he was to take and hadn’t opened the doors until he had found out. He now realized I had not been knocking on the door.
In a burst of warm feeling I said I had supposed he might have misunderstood, and could hardly blame him, having to drive such old equipment. We all but embraced in a spasm of good will.
I walked home glowing in optimism for the human race.”
This everyday example from Skinner’s own life illustrates something many people don’t understand when they encounter behavior analysis in application — when they see it as ABA for autism, or token systems, or behavior management, or whatever version to which they’re exposed, in a clinical context.
Radical behaviorism is not only the philosophy behind the science and application of behavior analysis, it’s a way of life. A worldview. A verbal repertoire that can be accessed almost any time, to improve our lives and those of others — our private and public experience — across situations, species, environments, clinical presentations, and cultures.
RB/BA provides an objective way of interpreting behavior, in context of all that is. That context can get quite complicated and counterintuitive, hence the need for the science, ongoing discovery, and systematic application, but that doesn’t mean it cannot also be utilized in everyday life.
Here, in this story, you can see some of the core philosophical tenets of Radical Behaviorism:
Determinism: Skinner deduced that something in the stranger’s environment — likely recent environment — evoked his anger. This includes the behavior of Skinner himself, as an actor in the stranger’s world, and he his.
Monism: He did not suppose internal or unobservable causes of the stranger’s behavior that were not there or immediately relevant
Contextualism: Behavioral events happen in the context of other events. The stranger wasn’t sure which route to take and was waiting for a cue; Skinner was trying to open the doors…
Pragmatism: It’s easier to forgive and move on than remain angry!
You can also see admirable qualities of Skinner’s behavior, which we could all adopt:
Humility: Admits anger, objective about his role
Optimism: Skinner’s optimism for the human race was apparent in much of his work and writing
Do you see any others?
One thing I really love about RB/BA is that, once you understand the foundational concepts and can engage in more objective ways of speaking about behavior, as naturally occurring events caused by identifiable, observable (if not observed) variables (rather than internal, unobervable ones), you essentially have all the tools you need to live a more compassionate and gentle life — not forever, just at any given moment.
I hope these sentiments find you comfortable, happy, and in little need. I think Skinner would’ve agreed.
Pass it on.
Peace, love, and stimulus control,
Jennifer
Recent Behavior Curious Posts
The shaping of a behaviorist: An autobiography. New York: Knopf, 1979
Great article Jennifer! Now I want to read his memoir.
What others? I'd say compassion. After pausing and checking his own emotions, he begins to see the why behind the motorman's response and appears to then gain compassion for his fellow man.