Skinner was kind of a pessimist toward the end of his life. Actually, his exact words were, “I’m very pessimistic.” His primary concern revolved around the potential application of the science of behavior, a field he significantly contributed to, for the betterment of humanity. In his 1987 work, Upon Further Reflection, he posed the statement, "Why we are not acting to save the world." Skinner acknowledged the impressive progress made in technology, space exploration, and engineering. However, he also alleged that these advancements had not been harnessed to address pressing global challenges like nuclear disasters, overpopulation, and pollution (we’ll go ahead and add mass shootings, drug abuse, homelessness, and poverty).
The Evolution of Behavior
He continues by emphasizing that "Operant behavior, like natural selection, prepares the organism for a future, but it is only a future that is similar to the selecting past.” In simpler terms, our present behaviors are predicted by our past behaviors, which were primarily oriented toward our survival. Behaviors that failed to contribute to our survival were selected against. One example of this phenomenon is salt’s reinforcing potency. Historically, salt was a precious and scarce resource, and individuals with a taste for salt, owing to its ability to enhance food flavor, gained a significant advantage. They not only learned where to procure salt but also unlocked its potential for preserving meat, thereby improving their odds of survival. Another telling example lies in our shared cultural practices – the collective customs, both verbal and nonverbal, that bond a group of people (Baum, 2014). We tend to align ourselves with tribes that engage in behaviors similar to our own. And a larger group meant more support for hunting, protection, and reproduction, demonstrating how our behaviors are shaped by our evolutionary past.
Discounting
Skinner's concern, however, lay in our resistance to heeding warnings and our tendency to engage in behaviors that offer immediate reinforcement but are detrimental in the long run. This concept was previously covered in our essay on delay discounting, where individuals tend to favor short-term, less potent reinforcers, over behaviors that promise more substantial, healthier rewards in the future.
Shaping a Better Future
The solution is deceptively straightforward: let's tap into what we’ve learned from behavior analysis to guide our actions toward solving the challenges we currently face. This is a crucial insight that cannot be overstated. Every problem we grapple with is essentially a byproduct of human actions – it's all on us. The good news is human behavior can change. When we're talking about climate change, for instance, we need to focus on the behaviors that contribute to the problem. But that's not where it stops; it's also about crafting policies and laws, essentially the ground rules that guide behavior, to encourage those actions that benefit everyone. In response to Skinner’s statement, Why we are not acting to save the world, Paul Chance argues it is time to prove Skinner wrong. With our current understanding of behavioral principles such as delay discounting and aversive control, we have the potential to make lasting behavior changes. By creating healthier contingencies, we can lay the groundwork for a more promising future, one that not only improves the immediate well-being of individuals but also supports the health and happiness of our future.
Proving Skinner Wrong
Skinner's stark pessimism towards the end of his life regarding humanity's response to global challenges remains a pressing concern. His apprehension about our tendency to favor immediate, reinforcing behaviors that are detrimental in the long run still resonates. However, there is a glimmer of hope, stemming from our understanding of behavioral science. We possess the potential to enact enduring transformations in human behavior. By designing healthier contingencies at both the individual and societal levels, we can lay the foundation for a better future. Such efforts can not only enhance the immediate well-being of individuals but also secure the health and happiness of generations to come. We have the response to Skinner’s statement, "Why we are not acting to save the world." We just need to act upon it.
Thanks and see you next week.