Science and Human Behavior

By: B. F. Skinner

Narrated by: Chris Sorensen

The psychology classic - a detailed study of scientific theories of human nature and the possible ways in which human behavior can be predicted and controlled - from one of the most influential behaviorists of the 20th century and the author of Walden Two.

©2014 The B. F. Skinner Foundation (P)2018 Tantor

Teaches so much about behaviors

Interesting and knowledgeable content; I did learn about human behaviors and why or how we do what we do, what motivates us or reinforce our behaviors.

Excellent production of a classic work

To call B.F. Skinner polarizing is like referring to the sun as hot- a true but woefully inadequate description.

Is it possible to go from vehemently nodding your head in agreement one moment, to the next shaking your head in irritated objection, only to find the next moment you are shrugging your shoulders in deep deliberation of how you really feel?

Yes, it is. That is the kind of ride B.F. Skinner takes you on and while it is not easy, it is productive and useful for opening the understanding to a nuisanced view of human nature. I recommend suspending your axioms, and taking in the book for what it is, the life's work of a rebel with a cause.

And the quality of narration and production was superb, with intonations, emphasis and tone adeptly implemented to support and bring to life the text, rather than overshadow it.

Excellent

The narrator's voice was monotone, but I think this was necessary. I can see how somebody will find this voice off putting and hard to listen to, but I believe this is an attempt to try and present the information in an unbiased way as possible.

A great book

A wonderful book that I found to be developmental and maturative for a young man coming of age such as myself. I found this book to be very well written and generally great. I further highly recommend this book.

A difficult text made tougher

As a masters student in behavior analysis this text was assigned as part of coursework. I have come to greatly respect Skinner and his works as they have defined the modern science of behavior.

That being said, his books are not easy reads. I purchased this audiobook to both listen to alone, or to accompany me as I read the paper copy we own. However, the narrator greatly diminishes my ability to listen and digest the information. He reads in a sing-songy, yet monotone and nastily voice with a circular cadence despite what the text calls for. Every sentence ends with the same drop in pitch and extension of vowel sounds. I find myself distracted constantly by the narrator. I think he was going for an old school professor’s lecture style in a leather armchair but ended up sounding like a robot mixed with the “Arby’s guy interview” guy slowed down a half step.

Buy it if you want, but your better off reading the text yourself at your own pace. Reread the paragraphs that confuse you.