B. F. Skinner (1904-1990)

Article Abstract:

B.F. Skinner, who was the most influential psychologist in the US for many years, died on August 18, 1990. He established his reputation as a leading behavioral psychologist while in his early 30s, publishing his book, The Behavior of Organisms, in 1938. It can still provide worthwhile information today. Skinner was important among American psychologists for distinguishing Pavlov's classical conditioning, in which an animal learns that one event precedes another (a buzzer before food is provided, for example), from instrumental or operant conditioning, where a reward or other occurrence depends on the animal's own behavior. Skinner's work was almost exclusively involved with operant conditioning, and he developed an apparatus, known as the Skinner box, which allowed precise timing of events, accurate recording, and automation of data collection, leading to ease in generating much data with relatively little effort. Skinner left most laboratory research behind after 1948 in order to devote his efforts to advocating his theories of behaviorism. He felt that behavior could be explained by the interaction of the consequences of behaviors with an organism's physical characteristics. Thus, rewards or punishments that occurred after a behavior would reinforce the desire or aversion to repeat the behavior, and this, rather than beliefs, hopes, feelings, or nervous system functions, was thought to be responsible for the net behavior of an organism. Although this theory did not deny the existence of consciousness or mental life, it came to be seen as simpleminded or naive, particularly as the cognitive revolution swept psychology in the 1960s. He also advocated behavioral engineering, rewards for appropriate behavior of the masses, as a way to deal with the larger problems of society. Despite these excesses, Skinner will remain an important historical figure, as he had a lasting effect on the study of learning and conditioning and on analyses of how behavior is affected. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

History, Behaviorism (Psychology), Behaviorism, obituary, Skinner, B.F.

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John Chadwick, 1920-1998

Article Abstract:

Philologist John Chadwick, who was born in London, UK, on May 21, 1920, died on Nov 24, 1998, at the age of 78. He was one of the founders of the discipline of Mycenology, the study of the Linear B documents of Late Bronze Age Greece. He attended college at Corpus Christi College and Oxford University. He and archaeologist Michael Ventris co-authored two important books about Mycenology. He also published more than 100 technical articles on the discipline and related subjects.

Obituary, Philologists, Chadwick, John

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Bras for mastectomy

Article Abstract:

A regular bra can be modified to adapt to a prosthesis for a woman who underwent mastectomy. The key is to form a pocket for the prosthesis and to make sure that the form corresponds to the woman's frame and existing breast properly. Step-by-step instructions are presented.

Design and construction, Brassieres, Bras

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