T H E L I F E OF

B.F. SKINNER
A report by Shaira Marie Batalla
 T H E L I F E OF B . F . S K I N N E R

Got his Bachelor’s degree in

English. Wrote to his father
informing him of his wish to stay at
Birth of his brother, Edward (Ebbie).
home to write. DARK YEAR.

March
20, 1904 1922 1927

1906 1926

B.F Skinner was born in Entered Hamilton College. Took a Became determined to be
Susquehanna, Pennsylvania as the Bachelor’s degree in English. a behaviorist. Was
first child of William Skinner and Death of Ebbie. accepted as a graduate
Grace Mange Burrhus Skinner. student in Psychology.
 T H E L I F E OF B . F . S K I N N E R

Hunt for a permanent job. Harvard

Their first child, Julie, was born.
created Society of Fellows in which
Published “The Behavior of
Skinner was seleced as the Junior
Organisms”.
Fellow.

1931 1936 1940

1933 1938

Completed his PhD in Psychology. Began a teaching and research Project Pigeon.
Received a fellowship from position at the University of
National Research Council. Minnesota that lasted for 9 years.
Married Yvonne Blue.
 T H E L I F E OF B . F . S K I N N E R

Left Minnesota. Became chair of

the Psychology department at
Indiana University. Published Retired from teaching but retained
“Walden Two”. faculty status.

1944 1948 1974

1945
Birth of their second child,
Deborah (Debbie). Project Pigeon
was cancelled. Baby-tender.
Cancelled Baby-tender.
1964
Returned to Harvard—mostly Retired as professor of
taught and continued with some Psychology but continued
small experiments with pigeons. as professor emeritus..
 T H E L I F E OF B . F . S K I N N E R

Died of leukemia.

1990

August
20, 1990

Delivered an address to the APA

convention and received an
unprecedented Citation for
Outstanding Lifetime Contribution
to Psychology.