Critique of Curriculum Ideology - There are critics of the behavior psychology as it applied to the Social Efficiency Ideology in education. A critique of behavior psychology and Leaner Centered Ideology is a critique of the views and theories of B.F. Skinner. Learner Centered Ideologists have contrasting views to those who hold to the Social Efficiency Ideology. They criticize the Social Efficiency ideology for not allowing children have some control of their own learning. They don’t feel like we should be preparing students for life after school, but we should allow them to shape their learning as children. One specific criticism of Learner Centered Ideologists is the use of extrinsic rewards in education as it relates to grades. Schiro (2013) says, “Letter and numerical grades are avoided because it is believed that learning should have intrinsic value and that the intrinsic value of learning is diminished when it is extrinsically rewarded, because the reward does not come from the completion of the task but form pleasing the teacher” (p. 146). The Social Reconstruction Ideology also differ in the view from the Social Efficiency Ideology in the use of rewards and punishments as a way to improve schools, teachers, and administrators. Even though Skinner viewed positive reinforcement as more effective than negative reinforcement in getting a desired response, the Social Efficiency Ideologists still support the use of standardized tests as a measuring tool to reward or punish schools, teachers, and principals. In contrast, Social Constructionists say that, “part of the subversive element here is that companies that develop, score, and report the test results are not only determining what students should learn, but are developing measures for controlling teachers and school administrators (through rewards and punishments) (Schiro, 2013, p. 194). They are against the use of high stakes testing as a way of measuring , rewarding, or punishing schools. In the educational and political climate of the 21st century, it would be interesting to see if B.F. Skinner would support the ideology (Social Efficiency) that holds him and other behavioral psychologists in such high esteem. Would he support the ways that rewards and punishments are used in education today?
Behaviorists vs. Freudian (Cognitive) – Skinner and also his predecessor, John Watson were criticized for their focus on the outward reaction to outside stimuli. This was in contrast to the more widely known Freudian psychology of the day that dealt with the mind, feelings, and stages of development. Eventually, behavior psychology would become widely accepted in academic circles.
Air Crib/Baby Box Controversy – One criticism of Skinner was the mistreatment of his infant daughter by using her as a pawn in his “air crib” invention. One writer said that Skinner "used his infant daughter, Deborah, to prove his theories by putting her for a few hours a day in a laboratory box . . . in which all her needs were controlled and shaped" (Slater, 2004). There were later rumors that when she (Deborah) got older, she had committed suicide because of her treatment as a child. To quell the rumors, Deborah even wrote an article in a British newspaper telling that the rumors were not true and that she was happy as a child. “My mother was happy. She had to give me fewer baths and of course had fewer clothes and blankets to wash, so allowing her more time to enjoy her baby” (Buzan, 2004).
Beyond Freedom and Dignity (1971) - The ideas that Skinner wrote in this book probably received more criticism than anything he had ever written. Noam Chomsky wrote the most widely known literary critique of B.F. Skinner and his work. The critique was entitled appropriately enough, “The Case Against B.F. Skinner”. One particular quote received particular attention. Skinner says, “that punishment is ineffective and free-will an unnecessary concept”. Some accused Skinner of supporting totalitarianism and that he was against the concept of free-will that is present in democratic societies (Chomsky 1971)
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Behaviorists vs. Freudian (Cognitive) – Skinner and also his predecessor, John Watson were criticized for their focus on the outward reaction to outside stimuli. This was in contrast to the more widely known Freudian psychology of the day that dealt with the mind, feelings, and stages of development. Eventually, behavior psychology would become widely accepted in academic circles.
Air Crib/Baby Box Controversy – One criticism of Skinner was the mistreatment of his infant daughter by using her as a pawn in his “air crib” invention. One writer said that Skinner "used his infant daughter, Deborah, to prove his theories by putting her for a few hours a day in a laboratory box . . . in which all her needs were controlled and shaped" (Slater, 2004). There were later rumors that when she (Deborah) got older, she had committed suicide because of her treatment as a child. To quell the rumors, Deborah even wrote an article in a British newspaper telling that the rumors were not true and that she was happy as a child. “My mother was happy. She had to give me fewer baths and of course had fewer clothes and blankets to wash, so allowing her more time to enjoy her baby” (Buzan, 2004).
Beyond Freedom and Dignity (1971) - The ideas that Skinner wrote in this book probably received more criticism than anything he had ever written. Noam Chomsky wrote the most widely known literary critique of B.F. Skinner and his work. The critique was entitled appropriately enough, “The Case Against B.F. Skinner”. One particular quote received particular attention. Skinner says, “that punishment is ineffective and free-will an unnecessary concept”. Some accused Skinner of supporting totalitarianism and that he was against the concept of free-will that is present in democratic societies (Chomsky 1971)
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