BA: B.F Skinner's research Weaknesses

• Use of animals in research (ethics)

  Skinner's research could be criticised for the use of animals; the rats were kept in unnatural circumstances, they would have been kept slightly underweight so that food was actually a reward for them. However, the benefits of the use of animals in research for therapies could be used as a counter.
• Use of animals in research - Generalisability

  Animals and humans may react differently to stimuli; conducting research that supports the concept of operant conditioning with animals doesn't necessarily mean it would happen with humans as humans have higher order thoughts. We have to be careful when generalising these animals studies to humans as a result.