Skinnerian

American  

[ski-neer-ee-uhn] / skɪˈnɪər i ən /

noun

1. a psychologist who follows behaviorist theories developed by B. F. Skinner.

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adjective

1. of or relating to theories developed by Skinner, especially concerning operant conditioning.

Etymology

Origin of Skinnerian

First recorded in 1955–60; Skinner + -ian

Example Sentences

Language acquisition was something deeper than mere Skinnerian or Clever Hans-ish conditioning, but telling the difference between the two would be exceedingly difficult.

From Slate • Jun. 21, 2018

After Walden Two became popular, about three dozen communities declared themselves to be Skinnerian communes, Hilke Kuhlmann writes in Living Walden Two.

From The Verge • Jan. 24, 2018

It's this vicious Skinnerian cycle that conscious computing seeks to break.

From The Guardian • May 10, 2013

As the Skinnerian student clicks along, he concentrates fully on each item, advancing only when he is ready to answer.

From Time Magazine Archive

Such boys, however, were in a minority, the spirit of the place being decidedly Skinnerian.

From The Way of All Flesh by Butler, Samuel