Two strains are at work here. First of all because Penny's bed broke, she is staying with Sheldon and Leonard. Sheldon is getting annoyed at her breaking the "rules" and showing rather common traits. So he decides to engage in operant conditioning in the realm of B. F. Skinner. Whenever she does something he deems positive, he gives her a little chocolate. The other strain is Howard and Raj going to goth bar, trying to pick up goth girls. They are so lost but get together with a couple of women. The results are pretty hilarious.
7 Reviews
First time TV or movies uses behavioral psychology properly.... and quite amusing.
Ner-DO9 October 2009
Warning: Spoilers
For the first time, BF Skinner is treated with respect. The scientific part of it is accurate in language an application of reinforcement and punishment. ONLY God (sorry!), Sheldon could use it that way.
Sheldon, you can still work biofeedback programed instruction to make Leonard get your dinner right.
I believe that lots of geeky, nerdy people will search for Skinner's works on how to make a pleasant girlfriend but bear in mind.... it works both ways. Pennys of the world can also learn how to shape Sheldon's creepy behaviors.
Being myself a behaviorist I can only cheer for the show to keep it up. (Can I have my chocolate now?).
Sheldon, you can still work biofeedback programed instruction to make Leonard get your dinner right.
I believe that lots of geeky, nerdy people will search for Skinner's works on how to make a pleasant girlfriend but bear in mind.... it works both ways. Pennys of the world can also learn how to shape Sheldon's creepy behaviors.
Being myself a behaviorist I can only cheer for the show to keep it up. (Can I have my chocolate now?).
The Gothowitz Deviation was another hilarious episode of "The Big Bang Theory"
tavm6 October 2009
Warning: Spoilers
In this episode, Penny is making French toast and singing Shania Twain's "Man, I Feel Like a Woman" which doesn't please Sheldon as it's in his apartment and besides, it's Oatmeal Day. It seems Penny stayed overnight because she and Leonard broke the bed at her apartment previously. Leonard wants his roommate and girlfriend to stop arguing so Sheldon gives Penny a chocolate as reward for good behavior though Penny is oblivious while Leonard figures it out after a while. Meanwhile, Howard and Raj dress goth in order to attract likewise girls. They may later come to regret the decision...Another funny episode of "The Big Bang Theory" this was especially when Sheldon gives Penny the chocolate and says "Bazinga!" whenever he's sarcastic. And what a treat to see Howard and Raj getting equal treatment story-wise concerning their own adventures. All I'll say now is how refreshing to see such a sweet and funny show like this on television. So with that said, until next time...
The Gothowitz Deviation (#2.3)
ComedyFan201022 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
What a fun episode. Sheldon trying to change Penny's behavior with rewards was so like him and made one laugh. Howard and Raj going to the goth club was absolutely the best. The way Howard looked alone was perfect. And I loved their tattoo sleeves. The conversation they had with the girls in the club really made me laugh a lot
Good ...But
wilfbutcher17 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The Story of Sheldon .Leonard and Penny is Pretty Good .. Howard and Raj's Story up to a point is also good .. But every so often a character comes in that just Dose not work .. After the Meet up with the Goth Women the 2nd Goth who seems So Bored says "not that anyone cares" for Me it did not work as a Comic line and when it was used again it was worse ...One of the worst Characters in the series and we have Sheldon's Me Maw and Penny's Brother to Come.
The Gothowitz Deviation
studioAT5 August 2022
Two good stories being told here.
The Sheldon one is the funnier, but lacks any sort of pay off, whether that be him getting his comeuppance through Penny finding out, her turning the tables on him, or even Leonard standing up to him.
The Raj/Howard one is a typical sitcom B plot, but is well played out.
A good episode overall.
The Sheldon one is the funnier, but lacks any sort of pay off, whether that be him getting his comeuppance through Penny finding out, her turning the tables on him, or even Leonard standing up to him.
The Raj/Howard one is a typical sitcom B plot, but is well played out.
A good episode overall.
The Evil Spock Conundrum
aubrey-clark6 October 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The writing in this episode had me scratching my head as the credits rolled, my expression not unlike the one I adopt when I'm considering the propagation of an off axis Gaussian wave.
First we have Penny, being treated like a boorish idiot who takes phone calls in the middle of watching movies. It would have been more realistic (and more humorous) to have her texting while watching TV with Leonard and Sheldon. The Pavlovian training by Sheldon is an excellent bit of writing, but it has no follow through and Leonard's reaction to it is a flat, half-hearted protest.
The Wolowitz-Koothrappali portion of the episode was really the best part, aside from Penny dancing in the kitchen mid-breakfast. Sheldon's comment about not dancing in any universe, although witty, is uncharacteristic; Sheldon would have instead conceded that, although there must be a universe in which he dances, it is a universe in which he is a sinister version of himself, like Evil Spock.
First we have Penny, being treated like a boorish idiot who takes phone calls in the middle of watching movies. It would have been more realistic (and more humorous) to have her texting while watching TV with Leonard and Sheldon. The Pavlovian training by Sheldon is an excellent bit of writing, but it has no follow through and Leonard's reaction to it is a flat, half-hearted protest.
The Wolowitz-Koothrappali portion of the episode was really the best part, aside from Penny dancing in the kitchen mid-breakfast. Sheldon's comment about not dancing in any universe, although witty, is uncharacteristic; Sheldon would have instead conceded that, although there must be a universe in which he dances, it is a universe in which he is a sinister version of himself, like Evil Spock.
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