skinnerian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic/Technical
Quick answer
What does “skinnerian” mean?
Relating to or characteristic of the theories of B.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to or characteristic of the theories of B.F. Skinner, especially his emphasis on operant conditioning and behaviorism.
Pertaining to a strict, behaviorist approach to psychology or learning that focuses on observable behaviors and external reinforcement/punishment, often with connotations of mechanistic determinism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Usage is equally specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Often carries a critical connotation when used outside strict behaviorist contexts, implying a reductionist or dehumanising view of behaviour.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language; found almost exclusively in academic/professional texts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “skinnerian” in a Sentence
[Skinnerian] + noun (e.g., Skinnerian theory)in a [Skinnerian] fashion/mannerfrom a [Skinnerian] viewpointVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skinnerian” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The critique took a strongly Skinnerian line, focusing solely on observable behaviours.
- His approach to training was criticised as overly Skinnerian.
American English
- The study used a classic Skinnerian box to test the rats.
- Her teaching method reflected Skinnerian principles of positive reinforcement.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in management training literature critiquing simplistic reward/punishment models.
Academic
Primary context. Used in psychology, education, philosophy of mind, and critical social science texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core technical term in behavioural psychology and animal learning studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “skinnerian”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “skinnerian”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skinnerian”
- Using lowercase 'skinnerian'.
- Using it as a noun to refer to a person (prefer 'Skinnerian behaviorist').
- Confusing Skinnerian (operant) conditioning with Pavlovian (classical) conditioning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, because it is derived from the proper name B.F. Skinner. The standard form is 'Skinnerian'.
It emphasises operant conditioning, where behaviour is shaped by its consequences (reinforcement or punishment), rather than by internal thoughts or feelings.
Within behaviourist circles, it is a neutral, descriptive term. In wider discourse, it is often used critically to imply an overly simplistic or mechanistic view of behaviour.
'Behaviorist' is a broader term for the school of psychology focusing on observable behaviour. 'Skinnerian' specifically refers to B.F. Skinner's version of behaviorism, which centres on operant conditioning.
Relating to or characteristic of the theories of B.
Skinnerian is usually academic/technical in register.
Skinnerian: in British English it is pronounced /skɪˈnɪə.ri.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /skɪˈnɪr.i.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not applicable for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of B.F. SKINNER, the psychologist. His name + 'ian' (like 'musician') = relating to his ideas.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A MACHINE (specifically, a stimulus-response machine).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'Skinnerian' most precisely used?