2007/09/01 by Geir Overskeid · 2 citations
Psychology · #Behavioral and Psychological Studies #Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology #Cognitive and psychological constructs research
paper · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.62.6.590
openalex publication_date 2007/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/04/05
Sigmund Freud and B. F. Skinner are often seen as psychology's polar opposites. It seems this view is fallacious. Indeed, Freud and Skinner had many things in common, including basic assumptions shaped by positivism and determinism. More important, Skinner took a clear interest in psychoanalysis and wanted to be analyzed but was turned down. His views were influenced by Freud in many areas, such as dream symbolism, metaphor use, and defense mechanisms. Skinner drew direct parallels to Freud in his analyses of conscious versus unconscious control of behavior and of selection by consequences. He agreed with Freud regarding aspects of methodology and analyses of civilization. In his writings on human behavior, Skinner cited Freud more than any other author, and there is much clear evidence of Freud's impact on Skinner's thinking.