text: how does b. f. skinner's work still influence us today? or hender us?   he invented the concepts of reinforcement and punishment as operant, or instrumental, conditioning. these principles can be used to train animals or make people play slot machines all day. every time you tell your child to eat his vegetables before his dessert, or else go to bed without any supper, you are using b.f. skinner's techniques. every time you give your dog a treat when she sits, you are using operant conditioning.