Peer reviewed
Direct linkERIC Number: EJ752402
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 15
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0738-6729
EISSN: N/A
On Chomsky's Appraisal of Skinner's "Verbal Behavior": A Half Century of Misunderstanding
Palmer, D. C.
Behavior Analyst, v29 n2 p253-267 Fall 2006
The history of the writing of "Verbal Behavior" (Skinner, 1957), Chomsky's review (1959), and MacCorquodale's rebuttal (1970) are briefly summarized. Chomsky's recent reflections on his review are analyzed: Chomsky's refusal to acknowledge the review's errors or its aggressive tone is consistent with his polemical style but comes at a minor cost in consistency and plausibility. However, his remarks about the place of Skinner's work in science reveal misunderstandings so great that they undercut the credibility of the review substantially. The gradual growth in the influence of Skinner's book suggests that its legacy will endure. (Contains 3 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Verbal Stimuli, Verbal Communication, Cognitive Psychology, Language Processing, Linguistic Theory, Criticism, Books, Interviews, Behavior Theories
Association for Behavior Analysis International. 1219 South Park Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001. Tel: 269-492-9310; Fax: 269-492-9316; e-mail: mail@abainternational.org; Web site: http://www.abainternational.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
