Abstract
Skinner coined the term “verbal behavior” to expand his learning theory to complex forms of behavior (i.e., logic, grammar, literature, thinking, and scientific behavior). Verbal behavior was distinguished from simple environment-based “operant” behavior by the requirement that it was, “effective only through the mediation of other persons” [Skinner, 1957, p. 1]. This class of “mediated” behaviors included normal vocal speech, but also any other vocalizations, gestures, or written words; indeed any form of behavior that might be thought of as a form of “communication” was included in Skinner’s verbal behavior system. The mediation by another person was thought of as so significant, a special analysis was deemed necessary.
Verbal behavior is behavior that is reinforced through the mediation of other people, but only when the other people are behaving in ways that have been shaped and maintained by a verbal environment or language. [Skinner, 1986, p. 121]
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© 1999 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Bailey, J.S., Wallander, R.J. (1999). Verbal Behavior. In: Thyer, B.A. (eds) The Philosophical Legacy of Behaviorism. Studies in Cognitive Systems, vol 22. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9247-5_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9247-5_5
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