behaviorism
noun
be·hav·ior·ism
bi-ˈhā-vyə-ˌri-zəm 
bē-
: a school of psychology that takes the objective evidence of behavior (such as measured responses to stimuli) as the only concern of its research and the only basis of its theory without reference to conscious experience compare introspectionism
Examples of behaviorism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By contrast, strict behaviorism (say) questions the foundations of the whole of psychology.
—
Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2015
Psychology has had, and continues to have, plenty of them: behaviorism, cognitivism, Freudianism, social constructionism, to name a few.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2015
Employee of the month programs are typically attributed to psychologist B.F. Skinner and his concept of behaviorism.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2022
Going beyond behaviorism, Sherwin-Williams’s decision to opt for this blushing hue is especially on point with our current moment.
—Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 20 Sep. 2022
It is based on theories of behaviorism and operant conditioning, and is known as the gold standard by many in the caregiver and professional community.
—Ariana Cernius, Fortune, 13 May 2022
Mental imagery, as a research topic, was considered taboo in the second half of the 20th century because of behaviorism, which rejected introspection as a way to understand behavior.
—Nayantara Dutta, Time, 8 Mar. 2022
The concept of behaviorism persists in traditional grading; everything students do is rewarded or punished with points.
—Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2021
In contrast to behaviorism, which asserts that animal behavior can be explained in terms of incentives, rewards, and punishments, ethology posits that animals are innately intelligent, rather than simply programmable.
—Lauren Markham, Harper's Magazine, 16 Mar. 2021
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Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2015
Psychology has had, and continues to have, plenty of them: behaviorism, cognitivism, Freudianism, social constructionism, to name a few.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2015
Employee of the month programs are typically attributed to psychologist B.F. Skinner and his concept of behaviorism.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2022
Going beyond behaviorism, Sherwin-Williams’s decision to opt for this blushing hue is especially on point with our current moment.
—Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 20 Sep. 2022
It is based on theories of behaviorism and operant conditioning, and is known as the gold standard by many in the caregiver and professional community.
—Ariana Cernius, Fortune, 13 May 2022
Mental imagery, as a research topic, was considered taboo in the second half of the 20th century because of behaviorism, which rejected introspection as a way to understand behavior.
—Nayantara Dutta, Time, 8 Mar. 2022
The concept of behaviorism persists in traditional grading; everything students do is rewarded or punished with points.
—Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2021
In contrast to behaviorism, which asserts that animal behavior can be explained in terms of incentives, rewards, and punishments, ethology posits that animals are innately intelligent, rather than simply programmable.
—Lauren Markham, Harper's Magazine, 16 Mar. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Behaviorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behaviorism. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
behaviorism
noun
be·hav·ior·ism
variants
or chiefly British behaviourism
: a school of psychology that takes the objective evidence of behavior (as measured responses to stimuli) as the only concern of its research and the only basis of its theory without reference to conscious experience compare cognitive psychology
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