Skinnerian

Skinnerian, in the field of psychology, refers to the work and approach of B. F. Skinner (1904–1990). It denotes a position within behaviorism that emphasizes the study of observable behavior and its relations to environmental contingencies, rather than internal mental states. Skinner's radical behaviorism and the theory of operant conditioning form the core of Skinnerian thought, in which behavior is shaped by its consequences.

Operant conditioning posits that voluntary behaviors are strengthened or weakened by reinforcement or punishment that follow them. Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior; punishment reduces it. Skinner also described discriminative stimuli, extinction, and the development of new behaviors through shaping and chaining. Behavior is organized by schedules of reinforcement—continuous, fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, and variable interval.

Skinner conducted experiments in the Skinner box with animals, which led to practical techniques such as programmed instruction, token economies, and various behavior modification strategies. The approach influenced applied behavior analysis (ABA) in education, therapy, and organizational settings.

Criticism and legacy: Critics argue that Skinnerian theory neglects cognition, emotion, and free will, and it may raise ethical concerns about manipulation. Nevertheless, Skinner's work shaped modern behavioral analysis, educational technology, and performance-management practices, and Skinnerian principles remain influential in many psychology and applied behavior-analysis contexts.