Dr. Dave Palmer on Science, Philosophy, and Chomsky

In this World Behavior Analysis Day Podcast episode, hosts Dr. Paulie Gavoni and Dr. Janet Enriquez welcome the esteemed Dr. Dave Palmer. A leading voice in behavior analysis, Dr. Palmer shares his journey into radical behaviorism, the impact of B.F. Skinner on his career, and his deep exploration of verbal behavior.

The conversation dives into his early inspiration from Walden Two, his attempt at forming a cooperative based on behaviorist principles, and how a personal letter to Skinner led to a life-changing mentorship. Dr. Palmer also discusses his academic journey, his deep intellectual dive into Noam Chomsky’s linguistic theories, and how he ultimately refuted Chomsky’s critiques of behaviorism.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Influence of Walden Two – How reading B.F. Skinner’s Walden Two shaped Dr. Palmer’s early ideals and career.
• Meeting B.F. Skinner – His firsthand experience meeting Skinner and how it influenced his professional trajectory.
• Critique of Chomsky – His in-depth analysis of Noam Chomsky’s linguistic theories and how they contrast with behavior analysis.
• Selectionist Account of Reinforcement – The connection between reinforcement and natural selection in shaping behavior.
• Emersonian Philosophy & Behavior Analysis – How Emerson’s philosophical ideas intersect with behavior analysis.
• Intellectual Humility & Scientific Debate – The importance of engaging with opposing views to advance knowledge in behavior analysis.

This engaging and thought-provoking discussion is a must-listen for behavior analysts, educators, and anyone interested in the philosophy and application of radical behaviorism.

Timestamps:
04:30 - Welcoming Dr. Dave Palmer
06:00 - How Walden Two sparked his interest in behaviorism
12:30 - His efforts to create a Walden Two-inspired cooperative
18:15 - Writing to B.F. Skinner and their first meeting
25:40 - His deep dive into Chomsky’s linguistic theories
34:00 - Why Skinner’s approach to verbal behavior still holds up today
41:20 - The selectionist account of reinforcement & its parallels to natural selection
50:00 - How philosophy, particularly Emerson’s essay on Compensation, connects to behavior analysis
56:00 - Reflections on mentorship and shaping future behavior analysts

Resources Mentioned:

• Walden Two by B.F. Skinner
• Verbal Behavior by B.F. Skinner
• Dr. Palmer’s paper Chomsky’s Nativism Criticized (Published in The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 2000)
• Learning and Complex Behavior by John Donahoe & Dave Palmer

Connect with Dr. Palmer:

Smith College Website

Email Dr. Palmer