Verbal Behavior (Skinner)

Verbal Behavior, developed by B.F. Skinner, analyzes spoken language as a form of behavior shaped by environmental stimuli and consequences. Skinner viewed words and sentences not as innate or intellectual but as responses learned through interaction—similar to how we learn other behaviors. For example, a child says “cookie” after seeing or wanting a cookie, and they might say “please” to get it. Reinforcements like praise or what the speaker desires strengthen these responses. Overall, Skinner’s approach emphasizes that language develops through learning mechanisms shaped by context and feedback, rather than innate knowledge.