BF Skinner Psychologist Behaviorism

In the beginning, there was language, and it was good. Then two eminent scholars debated its origin, and this debate gave rise to the Cognitive Revolution . . .1

Noam Chomsky Linguist Cognitivism

In the 1950s, the American tradition of behaviorism, as spearheaded by psychologist such as B.F. Skinner had an explanation for virtually every aspect of human and animal behavior, save one: Language.  In an attempt to account for this phenomena within the behaviorist paradigm, Skinner wrote Verbal Behavior.  A young, rising linguist at MIT happened upon Skinner's work and challenged many of the assumptions therein.  The criticisms of this young Noam Chomsky proved not only to shine light on the limitations of behaviorism but also to create an intellectual environment ripe for cognitive psychology and cognitive studies as a whole.

While the insights of Chomsky did not completely overthrow the behaviorist empire, the first blow was struck, and behaviorism was forever changed.  Coupled with advancements in other sciences and technology (e.g., the advent of computers), the behaviorist paradigm that dominated much of North American thought for the 20th century had to evolve or face complete removal.  Elements of behaviorism still permeate some aspects of psychology (e.g., cognitive-behaviorist approaches to psychotherapy), but the age of behaviorism is no more.

 

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1. The impact of the Skinner-Chomsky debate is slightly exaggerated for effect.  Skinner's book, Verbal Behavior, and Chomsky's subsequent critique served to foreground some of the shortcomings of behaviorism, but it did not in and of itself cause the cognitive revolution.