behaviorism

[ bih-heyv-yuh-riz-uh m ]
/ bɪˈheɪv yəˌrɪz əm /

noun Psychology.

the theory or doctrine that human or animal psychology can be accurately studied only through the examination and analysis of objectively observable and quantifiable behavioral events, in contrast with subjective mental states.

Origin of behaviorism

First recorded in 1910–15; behavior + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM behaviorism

be·hav·ior·ist, noun, adjective be·hav·ior·is·tic, adjective be·hav·ior·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby behaviorism

behavioral medicine, behavioral pathogen, behavioral psychology, behavioral psychophysics, behavioral science, behaviorism, behaviour, behaviour therapy, behavioural contagion, behavioural science, behavioural sink

Example sentences from the Web for behavioristic

  • He is a grand young southerner and simply knows his behavioristic psychology in a way to make one's hair stand up.

    An American Idyll |Cornelia Stratton Parker

Medical definitions for behavioristic

behaviorism
[ bĭ-hāv′yə-rĭz′əm ]

n.

A school of psychology that confines itself to the study of observable and quantifiable aspects of behavior and excludes subjective phenomena, such as emotions or motives. behavioral psychology

Cultural definitions for behavioristic

behaviorism

A theory that psychology is essentially a study of external human behavior rather than internal consciousness and desires. (See B. F. Skinner)