Psychological Operationism at Harvard: Skinner, Borings and Stevens—Verhaegh 2020

Modern debates regarding operational definition typically reference Stanley S. Stevens' psychological operationism writings. He wasn't the only psychologist to advocate conceptual cleanliness. Stevens' Harvard colleagues B. F. Skinner and E. G. Boring also applied Bridgman's conceptual strictures to mind and behavior. In this piece, I recreate Harvard discussions over operational definition before Stevens' major publications. I believe that we may better comprehend Stevens' contributions if we better understand his previous mentors and immediate colleagues at Harvard's Philosophy and Psychology Department.

Verhaegh S. (2021). Psychological operationisms at Harvard: Skinner, Boring, and Stevens. Journal of the history of the behavioral sciences, 57(2), 194–212. https://doi.org/10.1002/jhbs.22071