Date of Award
4-1982
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Roger E. Ulrich
Second Advisor
Dr. Galen Alessi
Third Advisor
Dr. Bradley Huitema
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
In order the alleviate some of the problems that confront modern society, it has been suggested that we implement a science of cultural design based on the analysis of behavior. A first step in redesigning the entire culture would be the establishment of a pilot experimental community, or behavioral utopia. While Skinner (1969) has suggested that the creation of such a behavioral utopia is currently feasible, to date none has emerged in spite of some noteworthy attempts. The reasons for this are discussed in terms of current behavioral principles, and the early history of one such attempt is described. It is suggested that the principles of behavior dictate certain limitations in the current experimental model in use in behavioral science which are responsible for the failure of any behavioral utopias to develop.
Recommended Citation
Brown, Robert G., "Behavioral Science in the Design of Cultures" (1982). Masters Theses. 1708.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1708