behaviorist

noun

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be·hav·ior·ist | \ bi-ˈhā-vyə-rist

, bē- \

Definition of behaviorist

1 : a person who advocates or practices behaviorism

2 : a person who specializes in the study of behavior an animal behaviorist

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Examples of behaviorist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The famous colony was studied by biologist Stephen Glickman and behaviorist Laurence Frank. — Nienke Onneweer, The Arizona Republic, "Phoenix Zoo says it euthanized 27-year-old hyena Huckleberry due to declining mobility," 26 Mar. 2021 Squirrels strike the posture when grooming in a still position, not when touching down, says Mikel Delgado, an animal behaviorist at the University of California, Berkeley. — Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, "How 'Flora & Ulysses' transformed a squirrel into a superhero while 'keeping it squirrel'," 19 Feb. 2021 Any good trainer or animal behaviorist should come to you and work with you in your home environment. — A.c. Shilton, Southern Living, "It’s Peak Package-Delivery Season, Here’s How To Help Your Dog Through It," 9 Dec. 2020 That could worsen conflict between wild elephants and human populations for resources, says co-author Erin Ivory, an elephant behaviorist at the North Carolina Zoo. — Christa Lesté-lasserre, Science | AAAS, "Elephants can lose two bathtubs full of water in a single day when it gets hot," 25 Nov. 2020 Your in-laws should find a good trainer who uses positive methods (not shock or pinch collars) to train the dog or, even better, a veterinary behaviorist. — Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, "Ask Amy: Woman wonders if in-laws’ ‘mean dog’ is racist," 5 Nov. 2020 Your in-laws should find a good trainer who uses positive methods (not shock or pinch collars) to train the dog or, even better, a veterinary behaviorist. — Washington Post, "Ask Amy: Woman wonders if family dog is racist," 5 Nov. 2020 Your in-laws should find a good trainer who uses positive methods to train the dog or, even better, a veterinary behaviorist. — Amy Dickinson, Star Tribune, "Ask Amy: Woman wonders if family dog is racist," 4 Nov. 2020 Autumn Sorells, the lead behaviorist, says her job is to come up with training plans that ensure the animals are comfortable and treated well. — Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, "Why Is Elon Musk Testing His Brain Implant on Pigs?," 9 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'behaviorist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

4 Apr 2021

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“Behaviorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behaviorist. Accessed 21 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for behaviorist

behaviorist

noun

be·hav·ior·ist

variants: or chiefly British behaviourist \ -rəst

Medical Definition of behaviorist

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a person who advocates or practices behaviorism

2 : a person who specializes in the study of behavior Animal behaviorists are often consulted regarding such problems as aggression, self-mutilation, food aversion and inappropriate urination or defecation.— Tom Ewing, Dog Watch, January 2009

behaviorist

adjective

Medical Definition of behaviorist (Entry 2 of 2)

: of or relating to behaviorism behaviorist psychology

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