behaviorist
UK[bɪˈheɪvjərɪst]US[bɪˈheɪvjərɪst]
n
A psychologist who believes that observable behavior, rather than internal mental states, is the proper subject of psychology.
adj
Relating to or advocating the theory of behaviorism.
Morpheme Breakdown
behavior
ist
behavior
action
ist
practitioner
Etymology
The word 'behaviorist' is a modern scientific compound, fusing the English noun 'behavior' with the agentive suffix '-ist'. 'Behavior' entered English from the verb 'behave', which originally meant "to have or bear (oneself) in a particular way," drawing from the intensive prefix 'be-' and the core Germanic concept of 'having' (habban). The suffix '-ist', with roots in Greek -istes, denotes an adherent to a doctrine or profession. Thus, a 'behaviorist' literally signifies "one concerned with behavior," specifically aligning with the 20th-century psychological school that studies observable actions over introspection. The term's logic perfectly encapsulates its theoretical focus, moving from the general idea of conduct to a specific scientific practitioner.
Analysis
Structure: behavior (action) + ist (practitioner)
behavior: From Middle English behaven, meaning "to behave," itself from be- (thoroughly) + haven (to have, hold). The root is of Germanic origin, related to Old English habban (to have).
ist: A suffix of Greek origin (via Latin -ista), denoting a person who practices or is concerned with something, or who holds certain principles.
Examples
The behaviorist focused on modifying the child's actions through a system of rewards and punishments.
Skinner was a leading behaviorist who argued that free will is an illusion.
From a behaviorist perspective, all learning is a result of conditioning and environmental interaction.