“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).

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "A person who has been punished is not thereby simply less inclined to behave in a given way; at best, he learns how to …" by B.F. Skinner?
B.F. Skinner photo
B.F. Skinner 30
American behaviorist 1904–1990

Related quotes

P.G. Wodehouse photo
Tsunetomo Yamamoto photo
Constantius II photo

“Only he who has the power to punish can pardon.”

Nahj al-Balagha

Cassandra Clare photo
Leo Buscaglia photo
John Wyndham photo

“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]

Orson Scott Card photo
Robert G. Ingersoll photo
Jesse Ventura photo

“Given how many convicts awaiting capital punishment have been cleared because of DNA evidence, I no longer support the death penalty.”

Jesse Ventura (1951) American politician and former professional wrestler

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.

Related topics