Burrhus Frederic Skinner was an American psychologist who was born in 1904 and died in 1990. He strongly believed in Behaviorism. Behaviorism is defined in Psychology Basics as “a philosophical point of view concerning the scientific study of human and other animal behavior” (Aanstoos, Abell, Adler, and et al 98). It goes on to state that “behavior is considered a product of the biological organism’s interaction with events in the environment that literally select and ‘shape’ individual behavior” (Aanstoos, Abell, Adler, and et al 98). Skinner believed that one’s behaviour, personality, and moral code was heavily influenced by one’s environment. With that theory in mind, one can reason that human behaviour and what he or she perceives as the moral choice is influenced by his or her environment. That environment does not need to be one where religion is focused on, but rather teachings of right from wrong, without religious philosophies are incorporated.

            Furthermore, The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology states that Behaviorism accepts “that humans can be trained, or conditioned, to respond in specific ways to specific stimuli and that given the correct stimuli, personalities and behaviors of individuals, and even entire civilizations, can be codified and controlled” (Strickland, Ph.D, Krapp, Alic, and et al 72). Consider an elementary school classroom as an example: at a young age, children are exposed to what is acceptable behavior and what is immoral. Teachers reward good behavior with treats, for example, gold stars. Poor behaviour is awarded with punishment, such as a "time out". These are examples of positive and negative reinforcement respectively. If a child is taught from an early age what is considered moral behaviour, then he or she can act in society ethically. His or her upbringing and environment, one that does not have to have any religious influences, will determine whether he or she perceives is right from wrong.