behaviorism

noun

be·​hav·​ior·​ism bi-ˈhā-vyə-ˌri-zəm How to pronounce behaviorism (audio)
bē-
: a school of psychology that takes the objective evidence of behavior (such as measured responses to stimuli) as the only concern of its research and the only basis of its theory without reference to conscious experience compare introspectionism
behavioristic
bi-ˌhā-vyə-ˈri-stik How to pronounce behaviorism (audio)
bē-
adjective

Examples of behaviorism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One approach to understanding them, probing what goes in and what comes out, resembles behaviorism, a once-dominant field of psychology that studied only observable behavior. — Arryn Robbins, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026 From behaviorism to cognition During much of the first half of the 20th century, behaviorism strongly influenced American psychology. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Sep. 2026 Unfortunately, these moments weren’t seen as just the behaviorisms of a 20-year-old girl, they were seen as dangerous or villainous. — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025 Going beyond behaviorism, Sherwin-Williams’s decision to opt for this blushing hue is especially on point with our current moment. — Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 20 Sep. 2022 See All Example Sentences for behaviorism

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of behaviorism was in 1913

Rhymes for behaviorism

See All Rhymes for behaviorism

Browse Nearby Words

behavior disorder
behaviorism
behaviorist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Behaviorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behaviorism. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

behaviorism

noun
be·​hav·​ior·​ism
variants or chiefly British behaviourism
bi-ˈhā-vyə-ˌriz-əm How to pronounce behaviorism (audio)
: a school of psychology that takes the objective evidence of behavior (as measured responses to stimuli) as the only concern of its research and the only basis of its theory without reference to conscious experience compare cognitive psychology
behavioristic adjective
or chiefly British behaviouristic
-ˌhā-vyə-ˈris-tik How to pronounce behaviorism (audio)
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All