Overview
Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904-1990), Harvard professor, made an indelible mark in the field of psychology. He was a strict behaviorist who championed the theory of operant conditioning. These papers document his professional life, research interests, and public reaction to his provocative ideas.
Dates
- 1928-1979
Creator
Restrictions on Access
Permission of the archivists of the Harvard University Archives is required for viewing the Papers of B. F. Skinner.
Restrictions on Use
Permission of the archivists of the Harvard University Archives is required for photoduplication from the Papers of B. F. Skinnner; permission of a third party is required for publishing from the papers until 2015. For details, contact the reference staff of the Harvard University Archives.
Extent
28.7 cubic feet82 boxes
These papers document Skinner's professional life, research, and public reaction to his provocative ideas. They provide a small amount of information on Skinner's personal life in the family photographs found in the Photographs series.
Abbreviated Biography of B. F. Skinner
Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904-1990) was a strict behaviorist who championed the theory of operant conditioning. He made an indelible mark in the field of psychology with both his ideas and his audacious advocacy of them. Skinner earned his Harvard Ph.D. in 1931, and after teaching at the University of Minnesota and the University of Indiana, he returned to Harvard as a professor in 1948; he stayed at Harvard for the remainder of his career.
Series and Subseries in the Collection
- Biographical Material
- Correspondence
- Reaction to Skinner's Work
- Subject Files
- Teaching Machines
- Laboratory Data
- Writings
- Walden Two Correspondence
- Newspaper Clippings
- Photographs
Acquisition Information
- Accession 9674; 1983 March 2; received from B. F. Skinner
- Accession 9710; 1983 April 14; received from B. F. Skinner
- Accession 11013; 1987 January 15; received from Dennis Trumble
Inventory update
This document last updated 2021 February 22.
Creator
- Title
- Skinner, B. F. (Burrhus Frederic), 1904- Papers of Burrhus Frederic Skinner : an inventory
- Author
- Harvard University Archives
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hua05001
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
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