“A person who has been punished is not thereby simply less inclined to behave in a given way; at best, he learns how to avoid punishment.”
Source: Beyond Freedom and Dignity (1972).
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
B.F. Skinner 30
American behaviorist 1904–1990Related quotes

“The law punishes the criminal after he has been successful: it is no use to us.”
The Midwich Cuckoos (1957), ch 18 - p.182 [Eric]

Interview with the Chicago Times, Feb. 14, 1881.

Source: Don't Start the Revolution Without Me! (2008), Ch. 10 (p. 187)
Context: Given how many convicts awaiting capital punishment have been cleared because of DNA evidence, I no longer support the death penalty. Minnesota doesn't have this on the books, so I'm thankful that, as governor, I never had to face the decision of whether to execute someone on death row. Again, I simply don't believe that government has the inherent right to make those kinds of choices.